Over 110 Indians evacuated, 90 from J&K—but the final ride home sparks outrage.
Under India’s major evacuation effort Operation Sindhu, 110 Indian nationals—including 90 students from Jammu and Kashmir—were safely brought back from conflict-hit Iran this week. The rescue was smooth. The students were first flown to Armenia, then to Doha, and finally landed in Delhi early Thursday morning, according to The Times of India.
But the real trouble began after they reached home soil.
Broken Buses After a Long Journey
Several students from J&K were shocked to find poor-quality buses waiting to take them home from Delhi. After hours of air travel and emotional exhaustion, the buses felt like a slap in the face.
“Even animals wouldn’t travel in these buses,” one student said.
“We’re thankful for the evacuation, but this last leg? It’s pathetic.”
The students said the vehicles looked unsafe and unfit for long travel, especially after everything they had been through.
Omar Abdullah Steps In
As complaints flooded social media, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah quickly responded. On platform X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister’s Office posted:
“The Chief Minister has taken note of the request of the students evacuated from Iran regarding the quality of buses arranged to transport them from Delhi to J&K.”
The Chief Minister has taken note of the request of the students evacuated from Iran regarding the quality of buses arranged to transport them from Delhi to J&K. The Resident Commissioner has been tasked with coordinating with the JKRTC to ensure proper deluxe buses are arranged.
— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) June 19, 2025
He has now ordered deluxe buses to be arranged via the J&K Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) and asked the Resident Commissioner to ensure proper coordination.
Praise for the Centre, Frustration with the Last Mile
Despite the bus chaos, students were vocal about their gratitude to the Indian government for the larger Operation Sindhu effort.
Student Sheikh Afsa, speaking to ANI, said:
“We were picked up straight from our dorm in Iran. The situation there is terrifying. We didn’t expect such strong support. We’re truly thankful.”
But the mismatch between the air rescue and ground logistics was jarring. Many students felt the rescue deserved a dignified end, not a downgrade to poorly maintained buses.
The Bigger Picture
India has been conducting large-scale evacuations under Operation Sindhu to bring back citizens from unstable regions. While the government has shown great coordination in foreign rescues, the Delhi incident shows that domestic logistics still need attention.
Also Read 110 Indian Students, Including 90 from Kashmir, Evacuated from Conflict-Hit Iran…
