Jammu, Jan 15: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday spoke with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the safety of students from the union territory currently studying in Iran.
The CM said on X, “Just spoke to EAM about the evolving situation in Iran. He shared his assessment of the ground situation & the plans that the External Affairs Ministry is working on. I’m grateful for his assurance that all steps will be taken to safeguard the interests & lives of students & other people from J&K who are in Iran now”.
Omar Abdullah said S. Jaishankar assured that all steps will be taken to safeguard the interests and lives of students and other people from the union territory who are in Iran.
Thousands of students from across the country, including Kashmir, are stranded in Iran amid the present volatile situation. This has triggered deep fear and anxiety among parents about their children’s safety.
Meanwhile, former chief minister and president of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has also urged S. Jaishankar and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene urgently and ensure their safe return.
Mufti said on X, “Thousands of students from across the country including Kashmir are stranded in Iran amid the present volatile situation. This has triggered deep fear and anxiety with anguished parents desperately worried about their children’s safety. Urge @DrSJaishankar and @MEAIndia to intervene urgently and ensure their safe return.”
In J&K, the maximum number of students studying for various courses, including MBBS, belongs to the Valley.
In addition to this, scores of Shia Muslims from Jammu and Kashmir go each year to pay homage at various Muslim shrines and historical sites in Iran.
Even these days, reports indicate that dozens of Kashmiri Shia Muslims are in Iran as their families in the Valley are praying and eagerly waiting for their safe return.
Meanwhile, as Iran has reopened its airspace for civilian traffic following a temporary closure amid rising tensions, the first evacuation flight carrying Indian nationals is scheduled to depart from Tehran to Delhi on Friday, bringing major relief to students and families in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to information shared by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, all students have been duly registered and their personal details and passports have already been collected by the Indian Embassy in Iran. The first batch of students has been instructed to remain ready by 8:00 AM for onward evacuation.
The association said it is most likely that students from Golestan University and a few students from SBUMS and TUMS will be part of the first evacuation batch scheduled to arrive in Delhi tomorrow. The final passenger list is expected to be shared later tonight once it is formally confirmed by the authorities.
Student bodies said the reopening of airspace and commencement of evacuation flights has eased widespread anxiety among students and their families, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, where parents have been under severe stress due to the deteriorating security situation in Iran.
The evacuation process is being coordinated by Indian authorities in close liaison with the Embassy, with further flights expected in the coming days to ensure the safe return of all remaining students.
Families and student representatives expressed hope that the evacuation operation will continue smoothly and safely until every stranded student is brought back home.
