Indian student who was shot in Kyiv arrives in Delhi on IAF flight

Indian student Harjot Singh, who was shot in Ukrainian capital Kyiv a few days ago, landed at the Hindon airbase here Monday evening, with his family heaving a sigh of relief after seeing him alive. The 31-year-old student, who had received four bullets, including one in chest, was immediately taken to the Army Hospital (Research And Referral) in an ambulance from the airport. His family members, who came to receive him at the Hindon airbase with bouquets, followed the ambulance in their car.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh, who was in Poland to facilitate the evacuation of Indian students, told reporters, "The Indian embassy in Ukraine evacuated Harjot and his condition is stable. Harjot has been sent to the Army Hospital (Research And Referral) as no one is better than Army in treating bullet wounds." In a tweet, he said, "I am happy to inform you that we have landed at Hindon Airforce Station. All 205 Indian students are back safe and sound. Harjot is under transfer to the Army Hospital (R&R). I thank the crew for taking care of us." At the airport, anxious family members of Harjot Singh heaved a sigh of relief after catching a glimpse of him.

"We are happy and relieved. We cannot express how we are feeling in words. The entire family received him at the Hindon airbase. He has been shifted to R&R hospital. Our parents are very happy. We are thankful to the government for ensuring his safe return," Harjot's brother Prabhjot Singh told PTI.

On February 27, Harjot, along with his two friends, boarded a cab for the western Ukrainian city of Lviv in a bid to escape Kyiv. He received four bullets. He contacted his family four days later.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday announced that the government had decided to bear the medical expenses of Harjot Singh.

The Indian embassy in Ukraine also lauded the driver who successfully transferred the student from over 700 km from Kyiv to Bodomierz border.

"Kudos to Indian Embassy driver who successfully transferred Harjot over 700 km from Kyiv to Bodomierz border under dangers of shelling and constraints of fuel shortage, road blocks, detours and traffic jams," the embassy said in a tweet.

Recounting the horrid moment, Harjot, a Delhi resident, had told PTI over phone from hospital in Kyiv, "We were in a cab to Lviv. We were stopped at a barricade and suddenly it was raining bullets. I thought this is the end. I am alive by God's grace." He is enrolled in a language course at International European University in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24 due to the Russian military offensive. Indian citizens stuck in Ukraine are being airlifted once they cross to neighbouring countries such as Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been operating its evacuation flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries using its C-17 military transport planes.

A total of 1,314 Indians were airlifted by seven civilian flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries on Monday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.

"Tomorrow, two special civilian flights are expected to operate from Suceva, Romania to bring more than 400 Indians back home," the ministry's statement added.