#SankatMochan: First flight carrying 156 Indians from South Sudan returns

Gen V K Singh told the media that as many as 550 Indians are in South Sudan. Of them, 156 were flown back to India in the first flight.

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Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh arrives at AFS Palam in New Delhi on early Thursday morning to depart for South Sudan to lead the government’s operation ‘Sankat Mochan’ for evacuating Indians from the violence-hit African country. PTI Photo by Kamal Singh

The first flight carrying Indians evacuated from conflict-torn South Sudan reached India on Friday morning. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, who has gone to South Sudan capital Juba, accompanied the evacuated 156 Indians. They were ferried back to the country by Indian Air Force carrier C-17 Globemasters which first landed in Thiruvananthapuram and then flew to Delhi.

Watch Video: Op Sankat Mochan: Video Of Indian Nationals Evacuated From South Sudan Arriving In Delhi

Singh told the media in Thiruvananthapuram that as many as 550 Indians are in South Sudan. Of them, 156 were flown back to India in the first flight. Around 30 to 40 persons have already booked tickets for their return by commercial flights. However, about 300 are not willing to return now, he said.

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Norka-Roots, the non-resident Keralites Affairs Department, has made all arrangements for the evacuated persons in the state. Of the first group, 35 belonged to Kerala and 32 to Tamil Nadu and the got down at the first stop. The remaining reached Delhi at around 11 am. They were received by Union Minister Vijay Goel.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh received at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. (Source: Shaju Philip)

Strife-torn south Sudan is witnessing heavy fighting between former rebels and government soldiers. President Salva Kiir has called for a ceasefire after fighting in Juba left more than 150 dead.

READ: We will not be able to evacuate you if situation deteriorates, says Swaraj

The ceasefire announcement came as United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called on the Security Council to impose an “immediate arms embargo” and targeted sanctions on leaders and commanders blocking implementation of the peace deal.

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Sudan Escapee – Arjun with family. (Source: Shaju Philip)

The latest exchanges were apparently sparked by a shootout between President Kiir’s and Vice President Riek Machar’s bodyguards.

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