India Continues Evacuations
Even as a newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to collapse within hours, India pressed forward with its mission to safeguard its citizens, successfully evacuating another 281 nationals from Iran. The special flight, which also carried three Sri Lankan and two Nepalese citizens, landed safely in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, marking another successful phase of the ongoing "Operation Sindhu." While the government focuses on these rescue flights, the security situation in the region is rapidly falling apart.
This latest flight, the 11th from Iran, brings the total number of people evacuated from that country to 2,576. Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, was present to receive the passengers, personally welcoming them back. He reiterated the government's steadfast dedication to assisting those in distress, noting that the operation extends beyond Indian nationals. "We are extending support to our international neighbouring friends," he stated, emphasizing that this humanitarian assistance is a practical application of India's commitment to regional stability. Including earlier evacuations from Israel, Operation Sindhu has now facilitated the safe return of 3,180 Indian nationals from the conflict-ridden region.
The urgency of these evacuations is underscored by the extreme volatility on the ground. The mission proceeded just as a "complete and total ceasefire," announced by the United States with the hope of halting hostilities, was allegedly violated. Hopes for de-escalation were shattered almost immediately when Iran reportedly launched two ballistic missiles toward Israel shortly after the agreement was supposed to take effect. Both missiles were intercepted by Israel's defense systems. In a swift and furious response, Israel’s Defence Minister accused Iran of a grave violation and ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to "respond forcefully," signaling an immediate return to open conflict and dashing any hope of a lasting peace.
The conflict initially ignited on June 13, when Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion," a major airstrike campaign targeting strategic Iranian military and nuclear sites. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated with "Operation True Promise 3," a barrage of drones and missiles aimed at Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centers. The conflict escalated dramatically when the United States intervened with its own precision airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, codenamed "Operation Midnight Hammer." This prompted Iran to target U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, including the largest American installation in the region, the Al Udeid Air Base.
Amid this diplomatic and military turmoil, where high-level agreements unravel in mere hours, Operation Sindhu continues to be a critical lifeline. India’s focused and methodical efforts ensure that its citizens, and those of its neighbors, are brought home safely from an increasingly unpredictable and dangerous environment.
