New Delhi11 minutes ago
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The Indian Air Force has carried out the first operation of its kind by landing on the soil of war-torn Sudan. A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, escorted by Garud commandos, landed at a dilapidated airstrip in Sudan at night. From there 121 Indians were airlifted and evacuated safely. Due to the dense darkness, the pilots landed the aircraft here with the help of night vision goggles.
The Air Force officer said that this daring operation was carried out on the night of 27-28 April when information was received that Indian citizens had gathered near the Wadi Sayeedina airstrip, just 40 km from Khartoum. Among them there is a pregnant and some sick people.
Actually, India’s Defense Military Advisor was bringing these Indians from Khartoum. He maintained constant contact with the commander of the aircraft. Everyone was airlifted as soon as they arrived.
Wadi Sayeedina runway was in very bad condition
The runway built in Sudan’s Wadi Sayeedina was in a very bad condition. There was neither anyone present here to help in navigation, nor was there any provision of fuel, nor were there lights, with the help of which the aircraft could be landed at night.
Despite this, the Air Force pilots were successful in landing on this airstrip. He took the help of electro-optical/infra red sensors to ensure that there is no obstruction on the runway. The airstrip was kept under the control of the Air Force for two and a half hours.
Because of the war, these people were not able to reach the port.
The officer said that due to the war, these people were not able to reach the port from where naval warships are taking the Indians to Jeddah. Seeing the citizens trapped in trouble, the Air Force immediately dispatched C-130J Super Hercules. The Prime Minister’s Office kept an eye on this entire operation.
The 12th batch of Indians reached Jeddah late on Friday night by C-130J aircraft.
Till now 2100 Indians have been brought to Jeddah
According to media reports, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bagchi said that on Friday night the 12th batch of 135 Indians reached Jeddah from Sudan by C-130J aircraft. On the other hand, INS Sumedha stationed in Sudan has left with the 13th batch of 300 Indians under Operation Kaveri. That is, till now a total of 2100 Indians have been brought from Sudan to Jeddah.
After the arrival of 300 Indians on board INS Sumedha in Jeddah, the total number will be 2400. Earlier on Friday, the 10th and 11th batches of passengers were brought to Jeddah by C-130J aircraft.
On the arrival of the 8th batch in Jeddah on Friday morning, the Minister of State for External Affairs met the Indians.
A total of 1360 Indian citizens have been brought back to the country
Till now a total of 1360 Indian nationals have been brought back to the country. A total of 754 of our citizens reached India on Friday. Of these, 362 reached Bengaluru. Prior to this, 392 Indian Air Force cargo aircraft reached New by C-17. This information has been given by the news agency quoting the Ministry of External Affairs. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said on social media – 362 Indians have reached Bengaluru under Operation Kaveri. They were brought to India from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. There we have set up a transit camp.
360 Indians were brought home on Wednesday and 246 on Thursday. About 3500 Indians were present in Sudan. Of these, 1360 have been brought back.
Rescue of Indians continues under Operation Kaveri
Earlier on Thursday, about 135 Indians were rescued in the 7th batch that reached Jeddah from Port Sudan. Operation Kaveri has been launched to evacuate Indians stranded in Sudan. This rescue operation is being carried out by Navy ships INS Sumedha, Teg, Tarkash and C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
278 people were rescued in the first batch from Sudan. In the second and third batches, 121 and 135 people were evacuated. In the fourth and fifth batches, 136 and 297 people were airlifted. And on Thursday morning, in the sixth batch, 128 people were brought from Sudan to Jeddah.
In the picture, people were seen taking selfies with Minister of State for External Affairs Muraleedharan after the rescue operation.
Understand the reason for violence in Sudan in 6 points…
- There is a battle for supremacy between the military and the paramilitary in Sudan. First in 2019, people demonstrated to remove the then President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir from power.
- Then in April 2019, the army overthrew the president in a coup, but after that the people started demanding democratic rule and their role in the government.
- After this, a joint government was formed in Sudan, in which both the civilian and military of the country had a role. There was a coup again in 2021 and military rule started in Sudan.
- Army Chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan became the country’s President and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Vice President. Since then the conflict between the RSF and the army has continued.
- The military and the RSF are at loggerheads over a deal to implement civilian rule. RSF wants to implement the civilian rule after 10 years, while the army says that it should be implemented within 2 years.
- Civilian rule means forming a government through elections. According to the army, a new government should be formed by holding elections in 2023. At the same time, RSF wants to rule the country for another 8 years.