New Delhi: As Israeli airstrikes intensify across Iran, hundreds of Indian medical students find themselves stranded in increasingly dangerous conditions, with many now pleading with the Indian government for immediate evacuation.

“I woke up at 2:30 am on Friday to loud explosions and rushed to the basement. We haven't slept since," said Imtisal Mohidin, a 22-year-old third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. He is among hundreds of Indian nationals, most from Jammu and Kashmir, enrolled at various Iranian universities.

With explosions reported just a few kilometres from student hostels and apartments, the fear among students is growing by the day. “We are stuck inside our apartment basement. We hear blasts every night. One of the explosions was just 5 km away. We haven't slept in three days,” Imtisal told ANI over the phone. Originally from Handwara in Kupwara district, he said university classes have been suspended and students are refraining from going outdoors due to the ongoing bombardment.

Shahid Beheshti University is a well-known destination for Indian students pursuing MBBS due to its affordability and reputation. Notably, three Iranian nuclear scientists who were killed in the recent Israeli attack were professors at this very institution.

While the university administration is said to be in touch with students, many now rely on instructions from the Indian Embassy for safety and next steps. "We request the Government of India to evacuate us before the situation worsens. The Embassy has shared helplines and is in touch, but we are frightened and need to go home," Imtisal appealed.

In a fresh advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin in Iran to stay indoors and keep monitoring official updates. "We request everyone in Iran to join the below given Telegram link to receive updates on the situation from the Embassy. Kindly note that this Telegram link is ONLY for those Indian nationals who are currently in Iran," it said in a post on X. Emergency helplines have also been issued.

Faizan Nabi, a first-year MBBS student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, said that even in comparatively safer cities, panic is spreading rapidly. "We heard gunshots in our city today. My friends in Tehran are terrified. We were advised to store drinking water for 3-4 days. That's how bad it is," he said. A resident of Srinagar, Faizan added, "I've been getting 10 calls a day from my parents. The internet is so slow that I can't even send a WhatsApp message quickly. We came here to become doctors. Now we're just trying to stay alive."

Midhat, a fourth-year MBBS student at Iran University of Medical Science, described the first night of strikes as the most terrifying. "The blasts were not far -- just a few kilometres away. Everyone was panicking. My family keeps checking on me. We're constantly monitoring the news," said the student from Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir.

While she acknowledged that the Indian Embassy has been reaching out through WhatsApp, she added, "Most of us are scared and staying inside. We don't know how long this will go on," also noting a lack of adequate support from her university.

Government reaches out

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian nationals, particularly students, in the region.

In a statement released on Monday via social media platform X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is "continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety."

The MEA added that, in certain cases, Indian students are being relocated to safer areas within Iran with assistance from the Embassy. "Other feasible options are also under examination," the statement noted.

Indian Embassy

The Embassy remains in touch with Indian community leaders throughout Iran to coordinate welfare efforts for Indian citizens. The update came shortly after Jammu and Kashmir’s former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah contacted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the status of students from the region stranded in Iran.

Over 1,500 Indian students -- the majority from Jammu and Kashmir -- are currently in Iran, mainly in the cities of Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom. Most of them are pursuing professional degrees, particularly in medicine.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran had earlier advised all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to remain vigilant. It shared a Google form via its official X account, requesting Indian citizens to submit their details for communication and assistance purposes.

"Please remember, it is important not to panic, exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran," the advisory stated. A Telegram link was also provided for real-time updates from the Embassy.

The safety measures come against the backdrop of intensifying hostilities in the Middle East. On Friday, Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion," a surprise military offensive that reportedly eliminated senior Iranian military figures and damaged key nuclear infrastructure. In retaliation, Iran launched a series of airstrikes, with both nations exchanging hundreds of missiles over the past three days.

While Israel has signalled that the operation will escalate further, Iran has issued a stern warning, vowing to "open the gates of hell" in response.

The Indian missions in both Iran and Israel have released multiple helpline numbers and remain in close contact with local authorities. The MEA has also indicated that it will continue to issue updates and advisories as the situation evolves.