Operation Sindhu: 517 Indians Evacuated from Iran, Mission Now Includes Nepalese & Sri Lankan Nationals

Photo: Reuters

Since its launch on June 18, Operation Sindhu has successfully evacuated 517 Indian nationals—including students and pilgrims—from Iran, confirmed MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. A charter flight from Ashgabat landed in Delhi in the early hours of June 21, delivering 517 safe returns.

The airlift has relied on regional overland movement from Mashhad, facilitated by Iran’s rare decision to lift airspace restrictions and support up to 1,000 evacuees via three charter flights. Initial evacuees included 110 Indian students flown to Armenia before being brought home.

India has now extended Operation Sindhu to include Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals, responding to official requests and demonstrating regional humanitarian leadership. Emergency embassy helplines and 24×7 control rooms in Tehran and Delhi are assisting all evacuees.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

Israel’s ambassador in Delhi confirmed active coordination with the MEA to ensure safe evacuation corridors—even as the Israel–Iran conflict intensifies.

Evacuees like Zaffar Abbas Naqvi recounted dramatic scenes: mass strikes forced them from Tehran to Mashhad, after which India mounted a rapid-response exfiltration mission. He said he was grateful to the swift government action.

Despite the scale, 426 Indians remain in Iran, most of them students, many at risk as hostilities continue. MEA and Indian embassies are coordinating further flights via Turkmenistan, Armenia, and overland routes. Additional evacuation sorties are in progress.

Operation Sindhu follows India’s proven emergency-extraction models—like Operation Ganga (Ukraine, 2022) and Operation Ajay (Israel, 2023)—highlighting New Delhi’s commitment to protecting its citizens in volatile global hotspots .

This mission underscores effective coordination among the MEA, embassies, host governments, charter airlines, and local authorities, protecting lives and national interests under duress.