Sudan Crisis: First batch of Indians evacuated under ‘Operation Kaveri’

New Delhi: The first batch of Indians were evacuated from conflict-hit Sudan on Tuesday under ‘Operation Kaveri’. A total of 278 people departed from Port Sudan onboard INS Sumedha for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.

Arindam Bagchi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson tweeted photos of the evacuated Indians aboard the Indian Navy’s warship INS Sumedha. “First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under Operation Kaveri. INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah,” Bagchi tweeted.

First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under #OperationKaveri.

INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah. pic.twitter.com/4hPrPPsi1I

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) April 25, 2023

India on Monday launched ‘Operation Kaveri’ to bring back Indians from Sudan, which has been witnessing fierce fighting following a power struggle between the regular army and a paramilitary force.

India has positioned two C-130J heavy-lift military transport aircraft in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah and a naval ship at a key port in violence-hit Sudan as part of its contingency plans to evacuate its stranded nationals.

Also Read: India Begins ‘Operation Kaveri’ To Rescue Indians Stranded In Sudan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keeping a close eye on the evacuations and has directed authorities to keep alternate plans ready.

Around 3,000 Indians are among the stranded foreign nationals, and a 48-year-old from Kerala, Albert Augustine, has been killed by a stray bullet.

The number of people killed in the Sudan conflict has surpassed 400, including around 250 civilians. Air strikes and artillery barrages are reportedly responsible for the clashes, which have left more than 3,700 people wounded, according to reports from the country.

The name of the mission, Operation Kaveri’ has a lot of significance, as a government source told news agency ANI that the Kaveri is one of the major Indian rivers flowing through the southern states. The river is sacred to the people of the region and is worshipped as the goddess Kaveriamma (mother Kaveri).