Indian Students Stuck in Iran Amid Conflict, Seek PM Modi's Help for Evacuation

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking immediate intervention. The association has requested the government to ensure the safety of students and arrange evacuation if necessary.

The letter mentioned that on 28 February 2026, the Israel Defence Forces carried out major attacks in Tehran and other areas, which made the situation very serious. Airspace restrictions and emergency security measures have increased risks for foreign nationals.

JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami told ANI that around 2,000 students from Jammu and Kashmir were in Iran. Out of them, about 900 students have already returned to India, but nearly 1,100 students are still stuck there due to the ongoing conflict and travel restrictions.

"Families of the remaining students are extremely worried and are hoping the central government will take urgent steps to ensure their safe return and protect their academic future," he said.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent safety advisory to all Indian air operators, warning of heightened risks to civil aviation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf airspace following a sharp escalation in regional tensions.

The advisory was issued today after a review of the Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB No.: 2026-03) published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It cautioned that recent military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran have created a high-risk operating environment for civil aircraft.

According to the DGCA, Iran has announced retaliatory measures, raising concerns over potential spill-over risks to civilian aviation. The regulator flagged several critical hazards, including possible retaliatory attacks affecting Iranian airspace and neighbouring states, the presence of advanced weaponry such as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, all-altitude air defence systems and military air assets, as well as the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft or operational errors during military interception procedures.

The high-risk zone covers all altitudes and flight levels within multiple Flight Information Regions (FIRs), including Tehran (OIIX), Baghdad (ORBB), Tel Aviv (LLFI), Amman (OJAC), Beirut (OLBB), Kuwait (OKAC), Jeddah (OEJD), Emirates (OMAE), Bahrain (OBBB), Doha (OTDF), and Muscat (OOMM).

In line with international safety standards and the EASA bulletin, the DGCA has advised Indian operators to refrain from operating in the affected airspace at all flight levels and altitudes. Airlines have also been directed to closely monitor updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the concerned countries and national authorities.

The regulator further noted that previous advisories concerning the airspace over Syria and Yemen remain in effect. The advisory is effective immediately and will remain valid until March 2, 2026, unless reviewed or superseded. "Operators are requested to acknowledge receipt of this communication and confirm that flight planning departments have been updated accordingly. Safety remains our highest priority," it further read.

This comes amid a sharp escalation in West Asia after joint military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites, triggering retaliatory threats and the closure of airspace in Iran, Israel and Iraq. The developments have disrupted key international air corridors used by airlines operating between India and Gulf nations.

- ANI