230 Indians to return from Israel on first flight under Operation Ajay: Govt

The Indian Air Force could also be roped in to bring Indian nationals back home, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Published on: Oct 12, 2023, 17:29:04 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Around 230 people will be the first Indian nationals to fly back from Israel under ‘Operation Ajay,’ the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, adding that the Indian Air Force (IAF) could also be roped in to bring Indians back home from the war-hit country.

Aftermath of a scene where a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip landed in Ashkelon in southern Israel on Wednesday. (Reuters)

Also Read | Operation Ajay: First batch of Indians to fly back from Israel on Thursday

“A charter flight will reach Tel Aviv today later in the evening. It is expected to get 230 passengers onboard. We have all options, but the role of IAF can't be ruled out,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters in a weekly briefing.

The flight is likely to land in India on Friday morning, Bagchi added.

On Wednesday, the government announced ‘Operation Ajay’ to facilitate the return of Indian citizens who wish to come home from Israel, which is engaged in a conflict with Hamas, the Gaza-based terrorist group, since October 7, when Hamas terrorists crossed over to Israel, killing scores of citizens and taking hostages.

Also Read | What is Operation Ajay? How Indians stranded in Israel will be brought back

Bagchi, meanwhile, further stated that so far, the ministry is yet to hear about any Indian casualty arising out of the conflict.

He also urged 18,000 of his compatriots currently living in Israel to follow advisories issued by the Indian embassy, which functions out of Tel Aviv.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Check India news real-time updates, latest news on Hindustan Times and more across India.