India airlifts 18 Nepali citizens from war-torn Israel under 'Operation Ajay', evacuates 1180 Indian nationals so far

New Delhi, Oct 18: In a significant development, a total of 18 Nepali citizens were airlifted from war-torn Israel under ‘Operation Ajay.’ This came after the fifth flight carrying 286 Indian nationals including 18 citizens of Nepal arrived in New Delhi late on Tuesday night.

  

 

While speaking about the development, he said, “This is is the fifth flight, and we have already brought 1180 people back home. We are the first country to start the evacuation, and we are also bringing people belonging to our neighbour (Nepal) countries…”

 

 

Upon arrival, they were received by the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, L Murugan.

 

"Wherever Indians are stranded, our priority is to bring them back. We have successfully conducted Operation Ganga and Operation Kaveri now under Operation Ajay we are bringing people back from Israel. This is the fifth flight, and we have already brought 1180 people back home. We are the first country to start the evacuation, and we are also bringing people belonging to our neighbour (Nepal) countries...," the Minister said.

 

Expressing gratitude to PM Modi government, Vishal, an Indian national who returned from Israel told ANI, "I am coming from Haifa, Israel. We had to follow the safety protocols given by the university. The Indian government has helped us a lot, we are thankful to the embassy..."

 

 

Along with Indian nationals, there were some Nepal citizens as well, who were also evacuated by India under 'Operation Ajay'. Ambika, a Nepali citizen who returned from Israel told ANI, "The situation in Israel is dangerous. We were scared, there were explosions. I want to thank the Indian Govt for bringing us back. Several Nepali citizens still stranded in Israel..."

 

 

Following the evacuation, the Ambassador of Nepal to India, said, "We would like to thank the Indian Govt for bringing Nepali citizens back from Tel Aviv to Delhi. They have arrived here safely. Flights are also being sent from Nepal to evacuate Nepali citizens. There are around 4,500 Nepalis in Israel, out of which 400 have been evacuated. Nepal Govt is working to bring them back..."