Op Kaveri: 8 Days, 13 Aircraft And 5 Naval Ships. A Look At India's Massive Evacuation Mission In Sudan

The government of India's 'Operation Kaveri' is a hope for the Indians and citizens of neighbouring nations stuck in the conflict zone of Sudan. Here's how the mission has gone so far.

Operation Kaveri: Another batch of 231 Indians on the 12th outbound flight departed from the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah to Mumbai as India continues to make efforts to bring back its citizens stranded in war-torn Sudan. On Tuesday, a total of 559 people were brought back home under the rescue mission of which 231 Indians arrived in Ahmedabad and the remaining 328 citizens were brought to New Delhi. With this, the number of evacuees has surpassed 3,000, informed Indian Embassy in Sudan. 

Under 'Operation Kaveri', India has been taking its citizens in buses from conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to Jeddah in Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships. From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flight or IAF aircraft, mentioned PTI in its report. 

It has been eight days since India launched Operation Kaveri to repatriate stranded citizens in Sudan amid continuous violence between the country’s forces and rebels. The challenge has been to take people out of a war zone where neither side agrees to a long ceasefire. However, the latest 72-hour window last week did help India intensify its operation. 

So far, India has evacuated 3,195 Indians through 13 Indian Air Force aircraft and five Indian Naval Ships. Around 62 buses were facilitated for people to reach the cities from where the Indian aircraft or ships were to rescue them. 

A Look At India’s Massive Rescue Mission In Sudan 

• The conflict in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan started on 15th April 2023. The government of India launched ‘Operation Kaveri’ and swiftly stationed Indian Naval Ships and Indian Air Force aircraft for the evacuation of Indians stranded in Sudan.  

 

• The Embassy of India facilitated the first evacuation of Indians in 6 buses on 23rd April 2023 from Khartoum to Port Sudan (850 Km). With the help of Indian Sisters in Comboni School and the Indian community in Port Sudan. 

 

• Indian Embassy established a centre at the Comboni School to accommodate Indians and facilitated the evacuation of Indians by air and sea. The first batch of Indians was evacuated in INS Sumedha on 25th April 2023. MEA Team arrived at Port Sudan on INS Teg on 25th April to strengthen the operations. 

 

• Presently, the Indian School in Port Sudan is being used as the Facilitation Centre, where registration of Indian nationals and transit accommodation for Indians are being provided. During the 8 days of Operation Kaveri, a total of 3,195 Indians have been evacuated.

 

• The Indian Embassy mobilised and facilitated the movement of 62 buses from various parts of Sudan to reach Port Sudan. It also facilitated the movement of Indians to South Sudan, Egypt, Chad and Djibouti. 

 

• The Embassy also guided and assisted in evacuating foreign nationals including Sri Lankans, Nepalese and Bangladeshis.   

 

• So far, Indians have moved out of Port Sudan using 5 Indian Naval Ships and 13 Indian Air Force aircraft including one from Wadi Sayyidna military airbase.