Anxiety and fear have engulfed hundreds of families across Kashmir as intensifying unrest in Iran, along with a prolonged internet shutdown, has severed communication with their children studying there. Most of the affected students are pursuing medical education at Iranian universities, which have long been a popular choice for Kashmiri youth due to affordable fees, relatively easy admission processes, and English-medium programmes.
With over 2,000 students from Kashmir currently enrolled in various institutions across Iran, the country remains one of the largest overseas academic destinations for the region. However, the worsening situation has transformed what was once a hopeful educational journey into a source of constant worry for parents back home.
Families said they have been unable to contact their children for several days. Phone calls are failing, messaging services remain inaccessible, and even social media platforms — often the last means of reassurance — have gone silent, deepening fears about the students’ safety and well-being.
