The first group of stranded Indian students from Kashmir has safely returned home after weeks of uncertainty amid the conflict in Iran, but hundreds remain stuck at the Iran-Azerbaijan border due to a sudden closure by Azerbaijani authorities. Around 70 students reached Kashmir from Armenia on Tuesday morning, marking the initial success of evacuation efforts coordinated by the Indian embassy and the Jammu and Kashmir government.

The stranded students, who were in the final year of their MBBS courses, faced a harrowing ordeal as the war broke out in Iran on February 28, resulting in massive bombings in Tehran, border closures, suspended flights, and severe disruptions to communications. Many had been studying in Tehran and other affected cities, and their plans to complete the final months of their degree were abruptly halted by the conflict.

Shahid Rashid from Pattan in Baramulla, one of the students who returned, described the past weeks as an ordeal. “I’m so happy to be back after going through tough times. My MBBS course was completing in the next eight months, but I had to leave with my friends as the situation worsened,” he said.

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While students crossing into Armenia have been able to continue their journey to India, the Azerbaijan border remains closed without explanation, leaving hundreds of students stranded. Families, who have already booked tickets for their children, say they have received no information on when border access will resume. Suhail Ahmad, a parent of a stranded student, said, “We are having sleepless nights. Our children are living in a helpless situation amid war in Iran and the closure of the border by Azerbaijan. We appeal to the government to intervene.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been actively monitoring the situation. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that around 650 Indians, including students, have already crossed into Armenia and Azerbaijan, and additional groups continue to return. He also noted the safe arrival of 284 Indian pilgrims who had travelled to Iran, with 130 scheduled to reach Delhi on Tuesday.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged citizens not to attempt uncoordinated border crossings, emphasizing that all movement should be explicitly coordinated with embassy officials. “The Embassy is in regular contact with members of the Indian community, and coordinated arrangements are being undertaken wherever necessary. Uncoordinated movement toward land borders is strongly discouraged,” the statement read.

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