<p>Gauribidanur: “When the war between Iran and Israel broke out, the city of Tehran was under constant missile attacks from Israel—just five kilometers from where we stayed. There was hardly any hope left of returning alive to our homeland, Alipur village...”</p><p>This is the harrowing experience shared by Sayyed Mohammad Taqi, a medical student who arrived in Alipur from Iran on Saturday. Sayyed Taqi and 10 other students from Alipur village in Gauribidanur taluk, are studying medicine in Tehran, the capital of Iran.</p><p>Over 150 villagers from Alipur remain stuck in Iran, anxiously awaiting their return. More students and civilians are expected to arrive back in the village on Sunday night and Monday.</p><p>Sayyed Taqi shared vivid memories of witnessing towering buildings in Tehran being damaged by missile strikes.</p><p><strong>Terrifying spectacle</strong></p><p>“Many skyscrapers collapsed before our eyes. The Israeli missiles were intercepted mid-air by Iranian defences, yet the threat loomed large. On Friday, as we travelled from Tehran to Mashhad city, relentless missile attacks continued. Rockets streaked across the sky like fireworks, creating a terrifying spectacle,” he said.</p><p><strong>‘Internet services cut’</strong></p><p>“The missile strikes brought immense fear. Internet services were cut off, making communication with family nearly impossible. The overwhelming anxiety and uncertainty of those days remain etched deeply in their hearts,” he added.</p><p><strong>‘Embassy support us constantly’</strong></p><p>“When the Indian students were being taken to the airport amid the conflict in Iran, authorities had set up a checkpoint every 60 kilometers for thorough inspections. Upon reaching the airport, the Indian Embassy arranged accommodation for over 1,200 Indian students in separate hotels, ensuring their safety and comfort, Sayyed Taqi said.</p><p>He said male and female students from Alipur were given separate rooms with Wi-Fi facilities to stay connected with their families during this stressful time.</p><p>“There was no clear information about the exact date of our return to India. We were only informed to be ready six hours prior to departure and were asked to stay at the airport, prepared to board the next flights as part of the second batch. Throughout this ordeal, the embassy staff remained in continuous touch with the students, offering reassurance and assistance,” he said.</p><p>He thus expressed gratitude to the Indian Embassy in Tehran, who maintained constant contact with Indian nationals and provided all support.</p><p>His emotional account revealed the ordeal faced by many such students caught in the crossfire of a distant war, yearning for safety and home.</p><p><strong>Alipur welcomes students</strong></p><p>On Saturday morning, 15 civilians arrived in India from war-torn Iran, followed by a second group of 16 students who reached Devanahalli airport at 11:30 pm and then travelled to Alipur village.</p><p>A festive atmosphere prevailed in Alipur as the predominantly Shia Muslim village welcomed them. The arrivals included six MBBS students, two female students, four persons pursuing religious and other education, and one resident of Bengaluru. “Numerous people of Alipur have travelled to Iran for MBBS education, religious studies, and pilgrimages, with some having lived there for several years. All are being brought back gradually”, said the students.</p><p>“The Iranian government gathered all Indians and prioritised sending children and students back home first,” a student added.</p>
<p>Gauribidanur: “When the war between Iran and Israel broke out, the city of Tehran was under constant missile attacks from Israel—just five kilometers from where we stayed. There was hardly any hope left of returning alive to our homeland, Alipur village...”</p><p>This is the harrowing experience shared by Sayyed Mohammad Taqi, a medical student who arrived in Alipur from Iran on Saturday. Sayyed Taqi and 10 other students from Alipur village in Gauribidanur taluk, are studying medicine in Tehran, the capital of Iran.</p><p>Over 150 villagers from Alipur remain stuck in Iran, anxiously awaiting their return. More students and civilians are expected to arrive back in the village on Sunday night and Monday.</p><p>Sayyed Taqi shared vivid memories of witnessing towering buildings in Tehran being damaged by missile strikes.</p><p><strong>Terrifying spectacle</strong></p><p>“Many skyscrapers collapsed before our eyes. The Israeli missiles were intercepted mid-air by Iranian defences, yet the threat loomed large. On Friday, as we travelled from Tehran to Mashhad city, relentless missile attacks continued. Rockets streaked across the sky like fireworks, creating a terrifying spectacle,” he said.</p><p><strong>‘Internet services cut’</strong></p><p>“The missile strikes brought immense fear. Internet services were cut off, making communication with family nearly impossible. The overwhelming anxiety and uncertainty of those days remain etched deeply in their hearts,” he added.</p><p><strong>‘Embassy support us constantly’</strong></p><p>“When the Indian students were being taken to the airport amid the conflict in Iran, authorities had set up a checkpoint every 60 kilometers for thorough inspections. Upon reaching the airport, the Indian Embassy arranged accommodation for over 1,200 Indian students in separate hotels, ensuring their safety and comfort, Sayyed Taqi said.</p><p>He said male and female students from Alipur were given separate rooms with Wi-Fi facilities to stay connected with their families during this stressful time.</p><p>“There was no clear information about the exact date of our return to India. We were only informed to be ready six hours prior to departure and were asked to stay at the airport, prepared to board the next flights as part of the second batch. Throughout this ordeal, the embassy staff remained in continuous touch with the students, offering reassurance and assistance,” he said.</p><p>He thus expressed gratitude to the Indian Embassy in Tehran, who maintained constant contact with Indian nationals and provided all support.</p><p>His emotional account revealed the ordeal faced by many such students caught in the crossfire of a distant war, yearning for safety and home.</p><p><strong>Alipur welcomes students</strong></p><p>On Saturday morning, 15 civilians arrived in India from war-torn Iran, followed by a second group of 16 students who reached Devanahalli airport at 11:30 pm and then travelled to Alipur village.</p><p>A festive atmosphere prevailed in Alipur as the predominantly Shia Muslim village welcomed them. The arrivals included six MBBS students, two female students, four persons pursuing religious and other education, and one resident of Bengaluru. “Numerous people of Alipur have travelled to Iran for MBBS education, religious studies, and pilgrimages, with some having lived there for several years. All are being brought back gradually”, said the students.</p><p>“The Iranian government gathered all Indians and prioritised sending children and students back home first,” a student added.</p>
