Operation Sukoon

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Operation Sukoon was launched by India to evacuate its nationals and that of Sri Lanka, Nepal who were fleeing from the Israeli–Lebanese conflict. Sukoon means relief in Urdu [1]. It was the first part of a two part air-sea bridge, the sea bridge was performed by Operation Sukoon of the Indian Navy and the air bridge by Air India.

Four Indian Navy warships that were a part of Task Force 54 that were returning back to India from the Mediterranean [2] after a goodwill visit where ordered to turn back just before they were to cross the Suez Canal to assist the evacuation. The ships where INS Mumbai, INS Brahmaputra, INS Betwa and the fleet tanker INS Shakthi. This has been touted as the largest post-Independence civilian-evacuation operation [3] by the Indian Navy. The warships were at battle stations, with guns and missiles fully warmed up, as the fleet's seven helicopters took turns to race ahead of the fleet to check on the situation.

The ships took the evacuees to Cyprus from where chartered Air India [4] flights formed the second part of the air-sea bridge to fly them back to India. [5] Altogether a total of 2,280 people including 1,764 Indians have been evacuated [6]. Of the evacuees 112 were Sri Lankans, 64 Nepalis and seven Lebanese with Indian spouses.

INS Mumbai has brought 1,495 of the total evacuees, during three sorties on July 20, 23 and 26. The remaining evacuees where brought by the frigates INS Bhramaputra and INS Betwa (188 and 254 people respectively) during a sortie carried out on July 23. INS Shakti being a tanker and unarmed, has not been deployed for the evacuation sorties, since it was more vulnerable, and also less manoeuvrable. It was carrying enough fuel and supplies to maintain the other ships for at least a month. Altogether a total of 1,869 people including 1,686 Indians were evacuated [7].

The four ships after being stationed in international waters off the Lebanon coast awaiting word of any more Indians wishing to be evacuated, returned to Indian waters on 10th August, 2006 [8].

Over 10,000 Indians are still in Lebanon and many have approached the Indian embassy to take them back home. The ministry said the Indian Navy and other agencies will continue the operation to evacuate all stranded nationals from the troubled region.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Return of evacuees brings joy to families", Khaleej Times, 2006-07-25. Retrieved on 2006-07-23.
  2. ^ "Indian naval ships visit to Greece", Embassy Of India, Athens, 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-07-27.
  3. ^ "Indian Navy pulls out 700 Indians from Lebanon", Zee News, 2006-07-20. Retrieved on 2006-07-27.
  4. ^ "Air-India to fly Indians home from Lebanon", The Times Of India, 2006-07-23. Retrieved on 2006-07-27.
  5. ^ "Air-India to fly Indians home from Lebanon", The Times Of India, 2006-07-23. Retrieved on 2006-07-27.
  6. ^ "After rescuing thousands, ships return", Mumbai Newsline, 2006-08-11. Retrieved on 2006-08-14.
  7. ^ "Indian Navy evacuates 1,869 from Lebanon", Telugu Portal, 2006-07-28. Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
  8. ^ "After rescuing thousands, ships return", Mumbai Newsline, 2006-08-11. Retrieved on 2006-08-14.
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