Heard nonstop bombardment for 14 hours: Back in Lucknow, pilgrims recount Iran horror

Lucknow: "We spent sleepless nights until we boarded the aircraft. There were warnings of heavy attacks in several parts, and we feared for our lives," said Mohammad Abbas, a pilgrim from Lucknow, who recently returned from Iran, which is in a war with Israel."We have never experienced such situations and felt threatened as the sirens blew in several parts," said Shuja Ali, another returnee from Iran.Abbas and Ali were part of a 96-member ziyarat (pilgrimage) group that travelled with Karwan-e-Noor Tours.The first batch of 20 pilgrims arrived in Delhi on Saturday and reached Lucknow on Sunday. Several pilgrims and students are still stranded in Iran.Among the returnees is Kaneez Sogra, who came back with her son but without her husband, Mujabir Hussain, 44."My husband is diabetic and suffers from anxiety. Living alone without family is affecting his health. If he stays longer, he may run out of medication. We are thankful to the govt for helping us return safely, but now we request urgent help to bring him back," she said, her voice trembling.Abbas said that the first attack in Iran occurred on June 13 while they were in Mashhad. "It was terrifying. My father, who has health issues, is still there," he said.Though there was no direct attack in their vicinity, the constant threat and sirens caused fear and panic among the group. "We saw missiles being intercepted mid-air—something unimaginable for us in India," said Shuja Ali, another returnee.Shuja recalled that they landed in Tehran on June 12, and the first airstrike occurred the same evening. The group was later moved to Mashhad from Qom on the advice of the Indian Embassy. "Even at 3 am, embassy officials were present to receive us. The govt supported us every step of the way—from food and stay to travel arrangements," he added.The Indian govt launched ‘Operation Sindhu' on June 18, evacuating citizens from conflict-hit regions in Iran.According to officials, 110 Indian students were evacuated from northern Iran and moved to Armenia under the supervision of local authorities.Among the students who returned was Nabia Naqvi, an MBBS student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. "We stayed in Qom for a few days before being shifted to Mashhad. It was a 14-hour journey by bus. The attacks started around June 13 and escalated the next day, with nonstop bombardment from 7 pm to 4 am. We could hear everything from our dormitory. It was terrifying," she recalled.Other students who returned spoke anonymously about the emotional toll on their families.Kashan and Rafeza (names changed) told TOI, "It's the families back home who suffer the most."While many have returned, families continue to appeal for the swift repatriation of those still in Iran, especially those with health concerns or without local support.(With inputs from Sajjad Naqvi)