'My Heart Sinks': UP Residents Urge Safe Evacuation Of Students, Pilgrims Stranded In Iran, Israel

Last Updated:June 18, 2025, 16:45 IST

Rizwan's family in Ghaziabad was devastated upon learning that a missile strike had completely demolished his hostel building in Tehran during the Iran-Israel conflict.

Rizwan Haider, a 21-year-old medical student from Behta Hajipur in Loni, Ghaziabad, is studying MBBS at Tehran University. (Image: News18)

The residents of Uttar Pradesh have urgently requested the Indian government to facilitate the return of their children who are currently stranded in Iran due to missile strikes amid tensions with Israel. The repercussions of the ongoing war are profoundly affecting families in Uttar Pradesh, India, as hundreds of Indian citizens, including medical students, migrant workers, and religious pilgrims, are trapped in the conflict zones of Iran and Israel. Their families back home are desperately seeking assistance for their safe return.

Ghaziabad Student Survives Missile Strike in Tehran

One such individual is Rizwan Haider, a 21-year-old medical student from Behta Hajipur in Loni, Ghaziabad, who is studying MBBS at Tehran University. Rizwan’s family was devastated upon learning that a missile strike had completely demolished his hostel building during the Iran-Israel conflict. Fortunately, Rizwan was not in the building at the time of the strike.

“I had gone out to eat with a friend when the missile hit. My hostel is now a pile of rubble," Rizwan conveyed to his family during a video call, visibly shaken. His father, Mohammad Ali, expressed his distress, saying, “We sent our son abroad for education, not to be caught in a warzone. Now his life is in danger. We appeal to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure his safe return."

Rizwan’s mother, in tears, added, “Every time he tells us about the situation there, my heart sinks. I just want my child back home safely." The family has submitted a written appeal to the District Magistrate of Ghaziabad, seeking urgent government intervention.

24 Workers from Barabanki Take Shelter in Israeli Bunkers

At least 24 young men from Barabanki who had travelled to Israel for work are now taking refuge in underground bunkers as air raid sirens blare amidst ongoing missile attacks. Monu Singh, one of the workers, described their daily ordeal on a video call: “Every time a missile is detected, sirens go off and we have to rush to the nearest bunker. The sound of the sirens makes our hearts race. Thankfully, Israel’s missile defence system is strong, and most rockets are intercepted mid-air. But the fear never leaves us."

Their families back home are terrified, relying on video calls to stay connected, praying for the war to end so their loved ones can return.

Over 1,000 Pilgrims from Lucknow Stranded in Iran

Adding to the crisis, more than 1,000 pilgrims from Lucknow who had gone to Iran for religious pilgrimage (ziyarat) are now stranded, as flights scheduled for their return on June 18 and 19 have been cancelled due to the war. Local travel groups such as Labbayk Tours, Karwan-e-Noor, and Karwan-e-Abbas confirmed that their pilgrims were stuck in cities like Mashhad, Qom, Neishabur, and Kashan.

Irfan Hussain, owner of Labbayk Tours, stated, “A group of 19 pilgrims, including women and a child, reached Iran via Iraq on May 27. They were scheduled to return on June 18, but all flights have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict. They are safe but extremely anxious, and we’re in constant contact with the embassy for evacuation updates."

Another pilgrim, Farman Abbas Manjul, posted on Facebook, “We had just reached Iraq from Iran when the Israeli strikes intensified. Now flights from Iraq are also cancelled. Everyone is stuck, waiting for a way back."

Internet disruptions in Iran have made communication difficult, compounding the stress for families. Many have been trying to contact their loved ones but couldn’t reach them for hours.

350 Lucknow Students and Dozens of Workers Also Affected

The conflict has not only trapped pilgrims but also hundreds of Indian students and migrant workers. About 8,000 Indian students are pursuing Islamic education in Iran, with approximately 350 of them from Lucknow alone.

Arif Hussain of Amberganj and Rahul Alam of Muftiganj are among several students enrolled at Imam Khomeini International University in Qom. With poor internet connectivity and limited embassy updates, their families are on the edge. Maulana Shadab from Sheeshmahal, who is both a student and a teacher in Qom, said, “Phone calls from home haven’t stopped. Everyone is worried. We assure them we’re okay, but we don’t know for how long this situation will last."

His wife, Mohsina, added, “My mother-in-law calls every day in tears. We try to stay positive, but it’s hard with the war escalating."

‘How Can I Return Without Earning Anything’

Even those who went to Iran for work are facing uncertain futures. Irshad, a resident of Khadra, Lucknow, has been working at a hotel in Tehran for the past three years. Speaking over WhatsApp, he explained that while Iranian authorities have been giving instructions to seek shelter during alarms, life has come to a standstill.

“I came here after saving for years. Now I’m being told to come back — but how can I return empty-handed? I’m scared, yes, but I have faith that things will settle down," he said.

Call for Government Evacuation Grows Louder

Amid mounting anxiety, community leaders and religious scholars have begun appealing to the Indian government for a coordinated evacuation, similar to Operation Ganga during the Ukraine conflict. Maulana Saif Abbas, a noted cleric, has written to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging immediate diplomatic intervention. “Just as India evacuated citizens from Ukraine, it must act swiftly now. Either initiate airlifts or open diplomatic corridors for safe passage from Iran, Iraq, and Israel," the Maulana told News18.

As the war escalates with mounting casualties — 224 reported dead in Iran and 24 in Israel over the past four days — Indian citizens remain trapped in a dangerous crossfire. The question now looms large: Will the Indian government act fast enough to bring them home?

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