Operation Ajay: Sixth flight with 143 passengers lands in New Delhi
Operation Ajay: As Israel's retaliatory strikes on Hamas in Gaza in response to the October 7 terror attacks entered their 15th day, a sixth flight carrying 143 Indian citizens arrived in New Delhi under 'Operation Ajay' on Sunday night.
Two Nepalese citizens were among the evacuees who were flown back by Indian aircraft.
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), shared an update from his official handle on X, writing, "6th #OperationAjay flight lands in New Delhi. 143 passengers, including 2 Nepalese citizens arrived onboard the flight. Welcomed by MoS @SteelMinIndia & @MoRD_GoI @fskulaste at the airport."
The passengers were received at the New Delhi airport by the Ministry of Steel, the Ministry of Rural Development, and Faggan Singh Kulaste.
On Sunday evening, the sixth flight carrying Indian nationals departed Tel Aviv for Delhi.
'Operation Ajay’
'Operation Ajay' is an ongoing Indian operation to evacuate citizens caught up in Israel's conflict with Hamas.
Earlier, on Tuesday late night, the fifth flight carrying 286 Indian nationals, including 18 Nepalese citizens, arrived in New Delhi.
So far, around 1,200 passengers, including 18 Nepalese citizens, have been safely flown back from Israel under 'Operation Ajay,' and more flights may be sent as needed, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said the central government was assessing the situation in Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
He denied any reports of Indian casualties in Gaza but added that one Indian national had been injured in the attacks.
"I thankfully have not received any reports of any casualty...one Indian national had been injured and is receiving medical care, and I understand her condition is now stable," he stated.
4 Indians stranded in Gaza
According to the MEA spokesperson, four Indian nationals are currently in Gaza, with another 12-13 in the West Bank.
"There are around four Indian nationals in Gaza...we don't have exact numbers and are coordinating. There are 12-13 Indian nationals in the West Bank...It's a little tough to get out of Gaza. There are some reports that some have already got out of there, but we will wait for confirmation."
- ANI
