First Evacuation Flight from Conflict in Iran Reaches Delhi

Bengaluru, Jun 19 (PTI): The recent arrival of the first evacuation flight from Iran in New Delhi has brought a glimmer of hope to families eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones. The anxious wait continues for those still in Iran, and the urgency is palpable, said a couple from Richmond Town, Bengaluru, whose daughter is studying medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In an exclusive conversation with PTI Videos, Imran Mehdi, father of Fareehy Mehdi, shared that there was a blast alarmingly close to where his daughter resides. "My daughter does not know how to cope in war-like situations and is already under a lot of stress. I appeal to our Prime Minister and our External Affairs Minister to expedite the evacuation process for all Indian citizens stranded there," Shabana Mehdi, Fareehy's mother, urged. Imran recounted his conversation with his daughter on June 13, which highlighted the severity of the situation. He attempted to book her return, finally securing tickets for June 15 via Air Arabia, only to find the airspace closed for commercial flights by then.

The couple appreciated the Indian government's efforts to relocate their daughter to a "safer" area. "We heard a group of students, including my daughter, were moved to Armenia, approximately six to seven hours from her location in Iran. We lack precise details of her whereabouts, as these are kept confidential for safety purposes," explained Shabana. The Mehdis are currently communicating with their daughter through WhatsApp messages, though connectivity issues pose challenges. Shabana noted, "The internet connection is unstable, adding to our anxieties." She expressed her anguish, "It's been five days since our last video call, and the waiting is torture for a mother. I represent the sentiments of all parents in the same situation. There are 10,500 medical students and 4,000 other Indian students there; the government's prompt intervention is essential," Shabana added.

The operation saw success as the first flight, carrying 110 Indian students evacuated to Armenia from conflict-ridden Iran, arrived in Delhi on Thursday morning. Amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, Indian students were safely relocated from Tehran, with 110 crossing into Armenia through initiatives led by the Indian Embassy on Tuesday under 'Operation Sindhu'.

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