The sudden escalation of conflict in West Asia, following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has turned a political crisis into a life-threatening emergency. For the nearly 1,200 Kashmiri students trapped in a country now facing bombardment, this is a living nightmare filled with bomb blasts, internet blackouts, and overwhelming fear. This is not a time for issuing advisories but for urgent and coordinated evacuation. The cruel choice between safety and years of medical education has left hundreds stranded, even after the Indian Embassy issued an advisory on February 23 asking citizens to leave. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, more than 1,100 students remain in Iran, while their families back home in the Valley live in constant fear and uncertainty. This situation demands a strong, two-part response. First, diplomatic efforts must move from simply advising students to taking real action. The government must immediately get firm commitments from Iranian authorities that students can leave without facing academic punishment. While Iran’s recent announcement allowing foreign students to exit through land borders and postponing exams is a welcome first step, it must be put into practice without delay. Second, evacuation plans must be put into motion with the urgency of a wartime operation. Prime Minister Modi’s emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security is a necessary first move, but it must lead to fast, visible action on the ground. With airspace closed, land routes are the only way out. India must coordinate with neighbouring countries to ensure safe passage and arrange flights from evacuation hubs. Past successful missions like Operation Kaveri and Operation Sindhu provide a clear model to follow. The Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister have rightly assured coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and appealed for calm at home. But staying calm here must be matched by decisive action there. For every Kashmiri student huddled in a hostel in Tehran, and for every family staring at a silent phone waiting for news, the government’s promise of safety must become real. We must bring our children home. There is no higher priority.
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