Srinagar, February 24, 2022 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, parents of nearly 200 students, who currently study in Ukrainian, pray for the safe return of the children. Abdul Salaam Dar, father of Umar Salaam Dar, who is pursuing MBBS at Ternopil National Medical University in Ternopil Oblast city of Ukraine, said that he last spoke to his son around noon on 24 February. “We are connected via WhatsApp,” he said, adding that the internet was working in his city till this report was published. “We are waiting for him. We are not only praying for Umar but for other students too who are studying there,” Dar told the media over phone.

He said they are safe as of now while the fighting rises in the neighbouring cities. “All roads leading to airports have been closed. Flight operations have been suspended. Our area is safe as of now. The attacks are happening about 100-kms from our university,” Umar told the media.

Another relative of a student from north Kashmir’s district Baramulla said that the authorities should take all necessary steps to bring back the students from Ukraine. “My sister is in Ukraine for a medical degree. She had gone there last December. We are worried. Hopefully, there is some good news (evacuation) soon from the government of the Indian government,” said Mohummad Musaib Kirmani, elder brother of a female student.

Her sister, who wished not to be named, is pursuing MBBS from Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University in the city of Vinnytsia, which is around 270 kilometers from the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev.

“We are uncertain about the situation. Though we are away from the war-torn cities, the situation is very dangerous. Our families also worried for us. We must be evacuated at the earliest,” a female MBBS pursuing student from the city of Vinnytsia told the media over phone. She said that she along with another Kashmiri student had booked a ticket for 3 March but the airspace was locked down today morning only.

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