Srinagar, Mar 05: Anxiety continues to grip families across Jammu and Kashmir as Indian students studying in different universities in Iran have urged the Government of India (GoI) to facilitate their evacuation through neighbouring countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, amid the deteriorating security situation in the region.
They have written to the concerned in Iran to allow them to return through the borders of neighbouring countries.
Students said the situation in several Iranian cities has become increasingly uncertain due to the ongoing conflict and reports of explosions in nearby areas, leaving many of them frightened and unsure about their safety.
Several Indian students studying at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences said that the Vice Chancellor of the university has advised international students to consider returning to their home countries due to the worsening security conditions.
“We have been hearing explosions in different parts of the country, and the situation is unpredictable. Our university authorities have advised foreign students to return home if possible. We request the Government of India to evacuate us through Armenia or Azerbaijan so that we can safely return to India,” one of the students said.
Students studying at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, located close to the Armenian border, said that local authorities have informed them that they may be able to leave Iran through the nearby Armenian border due to safety concerns.
“We are just a few hours away from the Armenian border. If the Indian government allows, we can cross the border and reach Armenia safely. From there, we can board flights back to India,” another student said.
Many students have written to the Embassy of India in Tehran requesting immediate evacuation assistance and clarity on the government’s plan for their safe return. However, the embassy has so far advised students to remain where they are and avoid unnecessary movement.
Meanwhile, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) vice president Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, who has been coordinating with families and authorities, said he has spoken with the office of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi regarding the matter.
“I spoke to the concerned officials in the Ministry of External Affairs. At present, they have advised students to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary movement until further instructions,” he said.
The Embassy of India in Tehran has already shifted several students to relatively safer places, including Qom, as a precautionary measure and is continuing to monitor the situation closely.
According to officials, the embassy is also assisting students with accommodation, food and other safety arrangements while maintaining constant communication with them.
Despite these efforts, uncertainty remains high among students as well as their families back home.
Parents in Jammu and Kashmir have appealed to the GoI to allow students to travel to nearby countries from where they can arrange flights back to India.
“We are extremely worried about our children. The situation there seems very tense. The government should allow them to cross the border into Armenia or Azerbaijan so that they can return home safely,” said a parent from Pulwama whose son is studying medicine in Iran.
Another parent from Srinagar said the families are even ready to bear all travel expenses if authorities permit the students to leave the country. “We are not asking the government to arrange special flights. We are ready to bear every expense ourselves. Our only request is that our children should be allowed to go to neighbouring countries safely so they can return home,” he said.
Meanwhile, students from Arak University of Medical Sciences reported hearing explosions in surrounding areas in recent days, further intensifying fear and anxiety among Indian students studying in the country—(KNO)
