Operation Sindhu update: 165 Indians arrive in Delhi from Israel; MEA confirms safe evacuation | India News
Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, an IAF C-17 flight safely evacuated 165 Indian nationals from Israel. The aircraft landed in Delhi on June 24, arriving from Amman, Jordan. The evacuees were received by Union minister of State (MoS) for external affairs Dr L Murugan.This evacuation is part of the Indian government’s ongoing Operation Sindhu, aimed at bringing Indian citizens home safely from conflict zones. On Monday, 161 Indian nationals were also evacuated from Iran on a special flight from Mashhad to New Delhi.Many evacuees shared emotional accounts of their experiences abroad. One evacuee said, “The situation there was very tense and getting worse by the day. We are extremely grateful to be back safely in India.” Another evacuee expressed relief and thanked the government, saying, “The support and quick action by the Indian government gave us hope and courage during those difficult times.”Union minister Dr L Murugan personally welcomed the returning nationals at the airport, assuring them of the government’s commitment to their safety.Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in an official update on X, highlighted that the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad remain the government’s highest priority. He praised the successful coordination that made these evacuations possible.The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated on June 13, when Israel launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, codenamed “Operation Rising Lion.” In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a large-scale drone and missile campaign called “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli fuel production and energy facilities.Further tensions arose after the United States conducted precision airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites under “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Iran retaliated by firing missiles at US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, including the strategically important Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, CNN reported.
