Operation Sindhu: IAF evacuates 165 Indians from Jordan amid Israel-Iran conflict
New Delhi: A total of 165 Indian nationals were evacuated by the Indian Air Force under Operation Sindhu from Jordan, in an effort to get citizens back home safe amid the Israel-Iran conflict. The IAF's C-17 aircraft landed in Delhi today morning, and the passengers were welcomed by Minister of State L Murugan.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, informed about the flight in a post on X, adding, "An IAF C-17 flight evacuated 165 Indian nationals from Israel under Operation Sindhu. They were received by MoS Dr. L. Murugan upon arrival in Delhi. The aircraft landed at 0845 hrs on 24th June from Amman (Jordan)."
Earlier, while talking about the arrival of the evacuees in Delhi's Palam airport, the IAF said that there are going to be missions in Egypt too.
"In response to heightened tensions in conflict-affected areas in West Asia, IAF C-17 aircraft commenced missions from Jordan and Egypt to extricate Indian nationals and citizens of friendly countries. The IAF remains committed as first responders to provide assistance within the country and across the globe in times of need," the Air Force said in a post on X.
https://x.com/IAF_MCC/status/1937365482136318048
"Today, the second aircraft from Israel came here, almost 165 passengers have landed here, we welcome them, the passengers are from 22 states, they are all students and doing various work. Our priority and Prime Minister Modi's priority is that wherever the war situation is there and our Indian diaspora people are stuck, the priority is to work to bring them in safely," L Murugan told ANI while receiving the passengers.
Some of the passengers expressed how their experience of evacuation was quite good, with the Indian embassy in Jordan helping a lot to ensure that the people reached home.
"The Indian government helped us a lot. For evacuation, we travelled to the Indian embassy in Jordan, even the embassy helped us a lot, overall a good experience...Even half an hour before we left our place, there were sirens, bombings happening. Even when we reached the border of Israel, it was happening," one of the passengers, who had been evacuated with her daughter and husband, told ANI.
Earlier on Tuesday, under Operation Sindhu, as many as 161 Indian nationals arrived in Delhi from Israel, with Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, welcoming them at the airport.
Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Israel leg of Operation Sindhu started on June 23. Jaiswal emphasised that the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad remain the government's highest priority.
The conflict between Israel and Iran began on June 13 when the former launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, code-named "Operation Rising Lion". In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated a large-scale drone and missile campaign called 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres.
Tensions escalated further after the US conducted precision airstrikes early Sunday morning on three key Iranian nuclear facilities under "Operation Midnight Hammer". Iran retaliated by launching multiple missiles at US military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the region, CNN reported.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
India will continue to grow robustly, even among major industrialised G7 countries: PHDCCI
New Delhi: India will continue to grow robustly, even among major industrialised G7 countries, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) said in a report on 'Population, Productivity, Partnership: Rethinking G7-India Collaboration'. The PHDCCI report added that with an average real GDP growth of more than 8 per cent from 2021 to 2024, India has consistently outpaced all G7 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. IMF's 2025 projections indicate that India will maintain a growth trajectory above 6 per cent (average) through 2029, supported by robust domestic demand, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and its demographic dividend, the report said. "India's consistent real GDP growth makes it the key growth driver for the world economy. The transformative reforms, including GST, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Act, the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, growing digital infrastructure (Aadhaar and UPI) and Make in India, among others, are strengthening India's ascendancy in the World", said Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI. The objective of the report was to assess India's growth and trade dynamics among G7 economies. In terms of purchasing-power-parity (PPP) terms, India's share in global GDP has surged from 7.0% in 2020 to 8.3 per cent in 2024, and is anticipated to exceed 9 per cent by 2029, he said. A crucial underlying factor is the demographic divergence between India and the G7, said Jain. India's working-age population (15-64 years) is projected to increase in the coming years, with over 68 per cent of its population currently between 15-64 years. This demographic dividend supports labour supply expansion, boosts domestic consumption, and enhances the innovation ecosystem through a vibrant startup culture and rising tertiary education enrolment, said Jain. Further, India's share of the total population ages 65 and above constitutes less than 5 per cent (2025). Conversely, G7 nations are confronting demographic headwinds as their share is more than 10 per cent, highlighting rapidly ageing populations, shrinking labour pools, and rising old-age dependency ratios, said Jain. By 2030, this share is expected to double or more than double for the G7 economies. "This is likely to slow potential output, reduce consumer demand, and increase fiscal burdens related to pensions and healthcare, said Jain. Notably, India's merchandise trade with G7 countries has surged by 61 per cent, rising from USD 154 billion in FY 2020-21 to USD 248 billion in FY 2024-25, maintaining a steady trade surplus. "This reflects India's growing export competitiveness, indicated by the commodity net export price index, bolstering its external sector resilience, Jain added. The industry body said in the report that key global initiatives led by India--the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE, and the Global Biofuels Alliance--are shaping a greener, more inclusive world. In the technology and digital governance space, India highlighted its commitment to a human-centric and ethical approach to AI, showcasing initiatives like BHASHINI and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as global models.
Times of Oman
9 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Dharmendra Pradhan vows to achieve net-zero India by 2070, takes part in 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive
Sambalpur: Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday participated in a mass plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. While speaking to ANI, Pradhan stated that the plantation of trees under this initiative increased hope for nature, fulfilled the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and was also a significant step towards making India a net-zero country by 2070. He further stated that various schools, colleges, organisations and administrative offices came to turn the initiative into a movement. "On that occasion, planting trees in Sambalpur, increasing the hope for nature, fulfilling the SDG goals, and making India a net-zero country by 2070, is a significant step in that direction... Today, the Forest Department and the District Administration have brought together numerous schools, colleges, women's organisations, professional organisations, temple committees, youth organisations, and various administrative offices to turn 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' into a mass movement. I am thrilled..." Pradhan said, speaking to reporters here. Earlier, on June 27, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, participated in the celebrations of Rath Yatra and offered prayers to Lord Jagannath. Speaking to the media, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, "The first ritual of the Jagannath Yatra has been completed. All three siblings have reached the chariots... I am satisfied with the arrangements made by the state government..." Earlier in the day, Union Ministers Pradhan and Shekhawat visited and appreciated the state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Puri, developed by the Odisha Police in collaboration with the homegrown startup IG Drones. The ICCC has been pivotal in ensuring safety and efficiency during the world-famous Rath Yatra, marking a significant milestone in modernised crowd and security management with 500 CCTVs, drones, anti-drone systems, and AI analytics. Thousands of devotees gathered in Puri to witness the grand spectacle, chanting hymns as the sweeping ritual marked the start of the deities' annual nine-day sojourn. The grand annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday, as thousands of devotees began pulling the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, amidst chants, drumbeats, and spiritual fervour.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
India looking at option of buying more S-400 air defence systems from Russia
New Delhi: With the S-400 air defence missile systems performing very well during Operation Sindoor, India is considering the option of buying two more squadrons of S-400 long range surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, defence sources told ANI. The sources said more systems of the S-400 are being considered due to security threats in view of the recent hostilities and the time to be taken in the development and deployment of the indigenous LRSAM programme, codenamed Project Kusha by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited as its development and production partners. The Indian side would prefer to get S-500 air defence system which has more range than the S-400 but it would require a clearance from the top Russian leadership for its sale, they said. The S-400 performed exceptionally in Operation Sindoor taking out multiple Pakistan Air Force fighter and airborne early warning aircraft. It also managed to create a record of sorts by successfully hitting an aircraft at a range of 300 plus kilometres. India is also awaiting the delivery of two more squadrons of the five S-400 squadrons that it had ordered in a 2018 deal. The first three squadrons have already been received and operationally deployed. Just before the delivery of the fourth squadron, war broke out between Russia and Ukraine. The systems meant for India were probably used in the war. The Russian side has now assured the delivery of the remaining two systems in the next financial year. Indian defence teams have also raised the issue with the Russian side and they have given assurances to not extend the schedule further.
