AKIPRESS.COM - India sent two Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 military transport Globemaster aircraft to Juba, to evacuate 600 Indians stranded in conflict-ridden South Sudan. The operation being led by Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh is called “Sankat Mochan”, reports Press Trust of India.

“We will make all possible efforts to bring back safely all Indian nationals who are stranded in Sudan,” Gen VK Singh said before departure. He is accompanied by Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the External Affairs Ministry, Joint Secretary Satbir Singh and Director Anjani Kumar. According to the ministry, there are around 600 Indians in South Sudan. 450 of them are in Juba and nearly 150 are outside the capital.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced the evacuations plans after an emergency assistance meeting. Indian Ambassador to South Sudan Srikumar Menon is making arrangements with his team in Juba.

According to reports, 300 Indians have registered with the Indian embassy for evacuation so far. The return flights will be up to New Delhi.