Ajit Karn
Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, announced on Tuesday that Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft have landed in Port Sudan for evacuation operations amid ongoing conflict.
C-130J aircraft from the Indian Air Force have arrived in Sudan to evacuate displaced Indians as the evacuation process continues in the violence-stricken North African nation.
“Operation Kaveri has taken to the air. IAF C-130J aircraft lands in Port Sudan to conduct evacuation operations,” Bagchi tweeted as he provided the relevant information.
In the first phase of “Operation Kaveri,” Indians isolated in Sudan left the war-torn country earlier today (local time). The third Saryu-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, INS Sumedha, departed Port Sudan for Jeddah with 278 personnel on board.
In addition, on Tuesday, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan inspected the transit facility at the International Indian School in Jeddah, where Indians evacuated from Sudan will be received and temporarily housed prior to their arrival in India.
“Inspected transit facility @IndianPage, Jeddah where Indians evacuated from Sudan will be received and housed for a short time prior to their departure for India. It includes mattresses, provisions, fresh food, restrooms, medical facilities, and WiFi. Has 24*7 control office. #OperationKaveri,” the Ministry of State tweeted.
As combat intensified between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary groups in the capital city of Khartoum on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that India’s “Operation Kaveri” to evacuate its citizens from war-torn Sudan is underway and that approximately 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan.
India has launched “Operation Kaveri” to transport Indians stranded in war-torn Sudan back home.
INS Teg of the Indian Navy joined Operation Kaveri on Tuesday to assist with the ongoing evacuation of Indians detained in Sudan. According to a senior MEA official, the frigate arrived at Port Sudan on Tuesday with additional officials and essential relief provisions for stranded Indians.
“INS Teg joins #OperationKaveri. Arrives at Port Sudan with additional officials and essential relief supplies for stranded Indians,” tweeted the official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday.
“Will enhance ongoing evacuation efforts by the Embassy Camp Office in Port Sudan,” tweeted Bagchi.
The INS Teg is the fourth frigate of the Talwar-class constructed for the Indian Navy.
In a recent development, warring factions in Sudan consented to a 72-hour ceasefire on Monday, mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia, while countries continue to evacuate their citizens.
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If the new three-day cessation of combat holds, it could provide a window of opportunity to deliver much-needed critical resources such as food and medical supplies to those in need.
