Kashmiri Students Injured in Tehran Amid Rising Tensions

Injuries Reported Following Airstrike

Three students from Kashmir suffered minor injuries due to an Israeli airstrike targeting the Hujat Dost Ali Hostel in Tehran. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has indicated that while the injuries are not severe, the students are experiencing significant trauma and fear due to the ongoing crisis.

Evacuation and Safety Concerns

Nasir Khuehami, the national convener of JKSA, confirmed that the affected students have been relocated to a safer area north of Tehran. He expressed his worries about their well-being, stating, “We have communicated with the students, and they report that their injuries are not serious. However, the incident has left them deeply shaken.”

Students Call for Immediate Assistance

The escalating tensions between Iran and Israel have placed many Kashmiri students in Iran in jeopardy. A group of female medical students described their situation as alarming, pleading for urgent help from local authorities. They stated, “We find ourselves in a frightening situation that has rapidly deteriorated. Our families are anxious, and we are all desperate for evacuation.” They reached out to Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for assistance.

Families Demand Government Action

Back in Kashmir, the families of the affected students have started expressing their worries, with many urging the Indian government to take swift action. A group of parents staged a protest in Srinagar, calling for immediate measures to ensure the safe return of their children.

Communication Challenges

Parents have reported difficulties in reaching their children due to poor mobile network connectivity in Iran. They have requested that Indian authorities facilitate their children's transfer to neighboring countries if immediate repatriation to India is not feasible due to airspace restrictions.

Government Response

In light of the crisis, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has contacted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss the safety of Kashmiri students. Abdullah tweeted, “I just spoke with @DrSJaishankar about the situation in Iran, focusing on the welfare and safety of Kashmiri students. The Honorable Minister assured me that @MEAIndia is in close communication with their Iranian counterparts and will take all necessary measures to protect all Indian students in Iran.”

Ongoing Safety Concerns

The situation remains dynamic as authorities strive to address the safety of over 1,500 Kashmiri students studying in Iran. With rising tensions in the region, both families and officials are urging for immediate action to ensure the safety of these students caught in a precarious situation.