India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate nationals from Iran
India on Wednesday launched 'Operation Sindhu' to evacuate its nationals from Iran amid escalating hostilities between Tehran and Israel. The operation comes as tensions in the region continue to mount following Israel's military strikes inside Iran and the widening scope of the conflict. The Indian government, closely monitoring the developments, has been implementing measures over the last several days to ensure the safety and security of its citizens in Iran.advertisementAs the first step in the evacuation effort, 110 Indian students were safely moved out of northern Iran and transported across the border into Armenia. The journey was supervised jointly by the Indian missions in Iran and Armenia. The students then boarded a special flight from the Armenian capital, Yerevan, at 14.55 hrs on June 18, and are expected to land in New Delhi in the early hours of Thursday, June 19.The Indian government expressed its gratitude to the governments of both Iran and Armenia for facilitating the evacuation process.
Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of Indian citizens abroad, the Ministry stated that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is also assisting other nationals to relocate from high-risk zones within Iran to relatively safer regions. Evacuation efforts for those individuals are ongoing and will be carried out through feasible options as part of Operation Sindhu.advertisementIndian nationals currently in Iran have been advised to stay in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline, and also to reach out to the 24x7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi for updates and support.The Indian Embassy in Iran issued an advisory on June 15, urging all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to stay in touch, avoid unnecessary movement, and follow Embassy social media pages for updates.Meanwhile, Israel and Iran continued to trade missiles for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, leaving over 600 dead. Iran has suffered the maximum damage, with the Health Ministry putting the death toll at 585.Earlier in the day, Iran claimed to have fired the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile at Israel, the first in the ongoing conflict. Explosions were also heard in Tel Aviv, with Israel claiming that Iranian attacks have resulted in 24 deaths and over 1,300 injuries in the so far. Israel's strikes on Wednesday were mostly centred around Tehran.Tune InMust Watch
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