Srinagar: Amid deteriorating conditions in Iran, a second batch of stranded Indian students returned safely to India on Tuesday night. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), the students arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi via Air India flights AI-996 and AI-930, transiting through Dubai and Sharjah. All students bore the cost of their travel themselves.
JKSA stated that more than 200 Indian students have now been safely repatriated from Iran, a large proportion of whom are from Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, another batch of students had returned to India on January 17. The association noted that many students were unable to return on time due to the cancellation of several civil aviation services, including connecting flights via Azerbaijan and Muscat.
It is noteworthy that protests began across Iran on December 28, 2025, against the economic crisis, the sharp devaluation of the rial, and rising inflation. These demonstrations later turned violent and spread across all 31 provinces of the country. According to reports, more than 3,000 people have lost their lives so far. In such circumstances, the safe return of the students is being seen as a major relief.
