NEW DELHI: The first two commercial flights carrying Indian nationals from Iran landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) late Friday night, bringing relief to hundreds of anxious families. Among the returnees are dozens of students and pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir, who escaped what they described as a “war-like situation” with total internet blackouts.
“Protesters Surrounded Our Cars” – The Ground Reality
Passengers arriving on Mahan Air (W5 071) and Air Arabia (G9 463) described a chaotic scene.
“There was no internet for days. We couldn’t tell our parents we were alive,” said a medical student from Srinagar who landed at 2:40 AM via Sharjah. Another pilgrim from Kargil added, “At night, there is fire on the streets. Protesters surround cars. We were scared to go to the airport.”
Official Advisory & Next Steps
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an urgent advisory on January 16, asking Indians to leave by “any means available.” While this was not a government evacuation flight, Indian officials in Tehran are facilitating tickets on remaining commercial planes.
Key Highlights: The Return Mission
- Who Returned: ~300 Indians (Including a large group from J&K/Ladakh).
- Flights: Mahan Air (Tehran to Delhi) & Air Arabia (Shiraz-Sharjah-Delhi).
- Status in Iran: Internet remains cut; Banks & Markets closed in many areas.
FAQ Section:
A: Air India has rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace. Commercial flights from Iran are operating but limited.
A: Not yet. These are commercial returns. The MEA is monitoring the situation for a possible evacuation if airspace closes.
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AUTHORSHIP & TRANSPARENCY
- Sign-off: Reported by Gowhar Nabi | Edited by Senior Desk.
- Source Transparency: Information based on passenger statements at Delhi Airport and [MEA Official Advisory Jan 16].
- Disclaimer: Flight schedules are subject to change. Check airline websites before booking.
- Accountability: Found an error? Email kittonews@gmail.com.
