SRINAGAR: In response to the escalating military conflict between Iran and Israel, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Saturday issued an emergency appeal and launched a dedicated helpline for Kashmiri students currently stranded across various Iranian cities.
According to the Association, approximately 1,300 Kashmiri students are studying in Iran, many of whom have reported hearing air raid sirens, experiencing tremors, and witnessing increased military activity near their places of residence. These developments have sparked significant anxiety among students and their families.
Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of JKSA, stated that the organisation has received numerous distress calls from Kashmiri students located particularly in areas affected by the ongoing hostilities. “Students are extremely anxious and fearful due to the deteriorating situation on the ground. We are in close coordination with the office of the External Affairs Minister and are preparing a comprehensive list of affected students to be submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for urgent intervention and evacuation, should the situation worsen,” he said.
Khuehami added that the Association is maintaining continuous contact with the MEA, the Indian Embassy in Tehran, and the Chief Minister’s Office of Jammu and Kashmir. He assured that preparations are underway to ensure students’ safety and facilitate communication with Indian authorities.
Munawar Mehraj, National Vice President of JKSA, urged all Kashmiri students studying in Iran, whether in professional or non-professional courses, to promptly share their details with the Association. “We are also coordinating with universities and local authorities in Iran to ensure the safety and well-being of our students,” he said.
Students have been asked to provide their full name, contact number, family contact and address, current address in Iran, and the name of their college or university. These details can be submitted via WhatsApp or phone call to a set of helpline numbers issued by the Association. An email ID, jksakmr@gmail.com, has also been shared for communication.
