Operation Sindhu: India airlifts more than 2,200 citizens from Iran and Israel as conflict intensifies

India has evacuated more than 2,200 of its citizens from Iran and Israel as tensions in the region escalate following a US bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites. The airlift is part of Operation Sindhu, launched by the Indian government to bring back its nationals from both countries.

Operation Sindhu brings Indians home
A special flight carrying 292 Indian nationals arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad, Iran, at 3:30 am on Tuesday, said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. In a post on X, he stated, “292 Indian nationals were evacuated from Iran on a special flight that arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad at 0330 hrs on 24th June.”

Separately, 161 Indian nationals returned from Israel as part of the operation. The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu began on June 23. The group arrived in New Delhi from Amman, Jordan, at 8:20 am, and were received at the airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita. “The safety and security of Indian nationals abroad remains the highest priority for the Government,” Jaiswal said.

Read More: Indian Air Force begins evacuation flights from Jordan and Egypt amid West Asia tensions

Escalation of tensions
The conflict between Israel and Iran began on June 13 when Israel launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites under “Operation Rising Lion.” In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centers.

The crisis deepened when the US conducted precision airstrikes early Sunday morning, hitting three key Iranian nuclear facilities in an attack called “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Iran responded by launching multiple missiles at US military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the region, CNN reported.

Also Read: Air India suspends flights to and from Middle East, North America & Europe after Iran's attack on Qatar

Evacuation efforts intensify
Since Wednesday, India has used chartered flights from Mashhad, Yerevan in Armenia, and Ashgabat in Turkmenistan to rescue its citizens. The first flight arrived in New Delhi on Friday with 290 Indians, followed by another on Saturday with 310. An additional flight came from Yerevan on Thursday, and one from Ashgabat landed early Saturday.

Iran lifted airspace restrictions on Friday, allowing three special flights from Mashhad. So far, 2,295 Indians have been brought back from Iran, and more flights are expected to continue as tensions evolve.