Iran-Israel war: Kerala families stranded at border rescued by Omani nationals

The families from Kerala were visiting Iran during Eid holidays and about to return to Muscat when the Israeli attack occurred on June 12. 

Muscat: Amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Omani citizens rescued four people from Kerala stranded at the border area. Two brothers and their wives, natives of Malappuram, Parappanangadi, were stranded at the Iran border. Muhammad Rafeeq, his wife Noorin Samad, Rafeeq's brother Muhammad Shafeeq, and his wife Saufiya Fatima spent about eight days in the desert amid the gunfire. The brothers' father has been running a business in Oman for a long time. The group, residing in Sur, Oman, had traveled to Iran for the Eid holidays.

They were visiting tourist spots and were about to return to Muscat when the Israeli attack occurred on June 12. Lost and unsure of what to do, they became stranded. They contacted the Indian Embassy, but the process was delayed. They stayed in various places, including schools in Hasankeyf, a border town in Iran. They feared for their lives amidst the sounds of gunfire. Meanwhile, they met Omani nationals who were similarly stranded. These Omanis became the rescuers of the Malayali group. The Oman Embassy had arranged a flight for the return of the Omani citizens. When the Omanis requested that the Malayali family be allowed to accompany them, the authorities agreed. The Malayalis who were rescued said that the Indian Embassy's timely submission of the necessary documents also helped.

India starts Operation Sindhu

Meanwhile, around 1,000 students stranded in conflict-affected regions of Iran are expected to be flown back to Delhi over the next two days as part of Operation Sindhu. The first flight will land at 11:00 PM on June 20, while the second and third flights are scheduled for Saturday morning and evening. Iran has agreed to open an exclusive corridor for the evacuation of Indian nationals despite closing the airspace for other countries amid drone and missile attacks.