Srinagar, June 16 (UNI) Scores of anxious parents in Kashmir on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to expedite the evacuation of their children studying in Iran, as tensions continue to escalate between Iran and Israel.



Parents said their children have been making frantic calls amid rising panic, particularly after three Kashmiri students were reportedly injured in an Israeli airstrike near Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) on Sunday.



“All three sustained minor injuries,” a student based in Tehran said on the condition of anonymity.



An estimated 1,500 Kashmiri students are currently pursuing MBBS degrees across Iran, with a large number of them based in Tehran.



“For three nights now, since the Israeli airstrikes began, we haven’t slept. We’ve been constantly in touch with our children,” said a concerned parent in Srinagar. “We appreciate the Government of India’s efforts, but as parents, we urge that the evacuation process be expedited.”



Parents said some students were relocated from Tehran on Monday.



“Several students have been shifted to Qom city, about 150 kilometers from Tehran, while others have been taken to areas near the Armenian border,” one parent said.



A group of parents gathered for the second consecutive day at the Press Enclave in Srinagar, demanding immediate evacuation of the stranded students.



The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) also issued an appeal to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, calling for immediate intervention.



“We request the establishment of dedicated and responsive communication lines between Indian students in Iran and the Indian Embassy in Tehran. Verified safety information, emergency guidelines, and timely updates must be disseminated,” said Nasir Khuehami, national convener of JKSA.



“A comprehensive evacuation plan should be formulated and kept ready. If the situation deteriorates or critical infrastructure comes under sustained attack, timely evacuation could be a matter of life and death. The Government must act proactively and swiftly to ensure the safety of our citizens,” he added.



Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already raised the matter with EAM Jaishankar, seeking assurance on the safety and well-being of the students in Iran.



Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former CM Mehbooba Mufti also voiced her concern.



“Families of the stranded students in Iran are growing increasingly anxious with each passing day. I earnestly urge the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and take immediate steps to ensure the safe return of their loved ones,” she said. UNI MJR SSP