Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Thursday urged External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to urgently facilitate the evacuation of Indian students stranded in the region through the Armenia border.
In a statement issued here on Thursday JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said the association has written to the minister seeking immediate intervention to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian students, including several from Kashmir, studying at Urmia University. Khuehami said that the association has maintained ongoing communication with students who are experiencing a worsening security situation due to repeated explosions and airstrikes near their residences. Students indicated that several blasts have occurred in close proximity to their dormitories, with a recent strike occurring approximately 300 meters from the boys’ hostel. The force of these explosions has reportedly shaken nearby buildings, instilling fear and distress among the students. Additionally, students have noted the frequent presence of fighter jets and air defense activities both day and night, contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety. Khuehami emphasized that the situation has become increasingly precarious, particularly as some of the targeted locations nearby include sensitive military installations and airbases, heightening the region’s vulnerability to further attacks. “In view of the rapidly deteriorating security situation, we have urged External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to immediately facilitate the evacuation of Indian students stranded in Urmia through the land route of Armenia, which currently appears to be the most feasible and accessible transit corridor for safe passage,” he said.. The students have expressed their willingness to cover their own travel expenses but urgently require diplomatic assistance from the Government of India to facilitate their exit. The key requirement is formal permission and facilitation from the Indian Embassy in Tehran, including travel authorization to cross into Armenia. The JKSA has urged the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy to coordinate with Iranian and Armenian authorities to establish safe transit arrangements and ensure the necessary documentation for the students’ temporary entry into Armenia. The association has reiterated its appeal for the Government of India to promptly assess the situation on the ground and create a safe evacuation corridor for the students.
