Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jun 13 : Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah Friday urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure safety of Kashmiri students studying in Iran.
CM Omar, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), wrote on X: “Requesting @MEAIndia to urgently ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri students currently stuck in Iran. Their families are deeply worried, and we stand with them in this difficult time. Every step must be taken to safeguard our students.” (SIC)
Pertinently, Israel earlier had launched a strike on Iran and later Iran in retaliation launched over 100 drones toward Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) informed KNO that “At least 1300 students from Kashmir are studying in Iran. Most of them are pursuing MBBS degrees out there.”
Meanwhile JKSA in a letter to the Ministry of External affairs for GoI said, “There is a dire situation being faced by hundreds and thousands of Kashmiri students currently studying in Iran, following the unprecedented escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel.”
“This volatile security environment has left thousands of Indian students, the majority of them from Kashmir valley extremely vulnerable and exposed to immediate danger. These students had travelled to Iran to pursue professional education, particularly MBBS, due to the country’s economically viable academic infrastructure,” it reads.
The JKSA said that the association was informed that many students are enrolled in colleges and universities that are situated dangerously close to vital military installations and strategic sites.
“They are reporting continuous sounds of airstrikes, air defense sirens, and increased military activity around them. Since last night, the situation has deteriorated rapidly. Some students are even located in cities where direct Israeli airstrikes have been reported. The students are terrified and feel completely helpless,” it reads.
It further said, “Given the immediate risks and growing psychological toll, we urge your esteemed office to initiate urgent measures to protect and support these students.”
“We request the Ministry of External Affairs to establish dedicated and responsive communication lines between Indian students in Iran and the Indian Embassy in Tehran, and to disseminate verified information, emergency guidelines, and updates,” it reads—(KNO)
