Kashmiri Students Injured as Israeli Strikes Hit Tehran Hostel; MP Seeks Urgent Evacuation

 SRINAGAR: A hostel housing Kashmiri students in Tehran, Iran, has been hit during Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, leaving several students with minor injuries and sparking immediate calls for their evacuation or relocation.

Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi in a post on X wrote that the Hujat Dost Ali hostel, which accommodates many Kashmiri students, was struck during the Israeli offensive targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. “Some sustained minor injuries,”

He confirmed having written to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, urging immediate intervention. “I’ve written to EAM @DrSJaishankar urging their relocation within Iran or evacuation once the airspace opens,” he posted.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has meanwhile established helpline numbers for families trying to contact their children in Iran. These helplines have been activated to assist distressed parents and coordinate with Indian authorities for further action. 

The situation arose from an escalation in the Middle East, as Israel launched a series of strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, targeting key assets in Tehran and beyond. The offensive was reportedly in response to fears of Iran nearing nuclear weapons capability, as suggested by Israeli military officials and reported by News18. Israel’s Defence Forces have termed Iran’s nuclear advancement as an “existential threat”.