Operation Kaveri: Another Batch of 264 Arrive in India; Third Naval Ship Deployed to Port Sudan

NEW DELHI: Another batch of 264 Indians arrived in Mumbai from a clash-hit Sudan under Operation Kaveri. So far, almost 1,100 (in batches of six) Indians stranded in Sudan have been evacuated under Operation Kaveri said the Foreign Ministry. In view of the 72-hour cease-fire, Indian Navy ships and military transport aircraft have been deployed to the strife-torn country to evacuate the remaining Indian citizens.

According to foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, there are approximately 3,500 Indians and 1,000-odd Indian-origin persons (PIOs) who are stranded in Sudan. Under the evacuation registration online, so far 3,400 Indians have registered, the ministry added.

On Day 3 of the operation, almost 1700-2000 Indians were lifted from the conflict zone who reached Port Sudan or Jeddah in their quest to depart the war-torn nation.

To pull off the operation effectively, the ministry has deployed the third naval ship INS Tarkash at Port Sudan. At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary said India has been in touch with all the concerned sides in Sudan with a focus on taking out Indians from the conflict zones.” The security situation in Sudan remains very complex and highly volatile and India’s efforts have been to ensure the safety of Indian nationals, he pressed.” Shedding light on the evacuation efforts by the Indian Govt he revealed that control rooms were established in India and war-ravaged Sudan in coalition with efforts from control rooms in Jeddah and Riyadh embassies.