IAF Evacuates 268 Indian Nationals From Israel Under ‘Operation Sindhu’

As regional tensions escalate in the Middle East, India has intensified its efforts to evacuate Indian nationals stranded in the conflict zones.

On Tuesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) repatriated 268 Indian nationals from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, marking the third flight under Operation Sindhu.

The IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft touched down in New Delhi at 11:00 AM, bringing the total number of evacuees from Israel to 594.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the operation’s progress via an update on social media.

Warm reception in the capital

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan received the evacuees at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

He conveyed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian citizens abroad and reiterated support for all ongoing operations under the initiative.

“The Government of India is committed to providing all necessary assistance to its citizens in distress. Under Operation Sindhu, all nationals are returning home safely,” said Murugan during the welcome.

This marks the second IAF flight to land in India on the same day. Earlier, a separate IAF aircraft had successfully evacuated 165 Indian nationals.

The use of the IAF’s heavy-lift C-17 aircraft underlines the gravity of the situation and the government’s readiness to deploy strategic military resources for humanitarian missions.

Notably, the evacuation has extended support not only to Indian citizens but also to nationals from friendly countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka, reflecting India’s broader diplomatic responsibility in the region.

The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu commenced on Monday, 23 June, with flights routed via Jordan.

The first successful repatriation from Amman saw 161 Indian citizens arrive in Delhi on Tuesday morning.

Parallel evacuations continue from Iran, where conflict conditions have also prompted swift action.

According to MEA data, 2,295 Indian nationals have so far been brought back from Iran, highlighting the scale and urgency of the operation.

The government’s strategic effort

The Government of India has launched Operation Sindhu as a strategic evacuation plan to ensure the safety of Indian nationals amidst growing instability in Israel and Iran.

By leveraging diplomatic coordination, military logistics, and ministerial oversight, the initiative further exemplifies India’s readiness to respond to global crises and protect its diaspora in volatile regions.

The operation continues to evolve as officials monitor the situation on the ground.

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