#OpNistar accomplished successfully! Indian Navy rescues 38 countrymen stranded in cyclone hit Socotra Island of Yemen

Socotra, June 4: Humanity and saving lives either it is of Indian or of foreigners always remain on the top of all priorities of Indian security forces. Keeping up its promise, Indian Navy ones again evacuated the precious lives of 38 countrymen from Socotra Island in Yemen where they got stuck after cyclone Mekenu hit the area in the last week of May.

 

Notably, the Indian Navy evacuated the Indians as part of operation 'NISTAR' carried out off the coast of Socotra early on 3 June and embarked them at Naval ship INS Sunayna to bring them back to India.

Indian Navy on Sunday in a series of the tweet posted some videos and photographs of the ‘Operation NISTAR’ and showcased how the Indians were rescued.

In another tweet, the Indian Navy confirmed of rescuing 38 stranded Indians. It said, “#OpNistar – Indian Navy evacuates stranded Indians from Socotra, Yemen.”

On 24 May, a severe cyclonic storm named ‘Mekenu’ crossed the Yemeni Island of Socotra, leaving 38 Indians stranded on the island with the limited food and water. Also, three Indian dhows at Socotra suffered damages/ sank alongside in the harbour and another Dhow, MSV Safina Al Khijar with 12 Indians onboard were reported to be missing.

However, after receiving a distress call from the DG shipping and the Indian Sailing Vessels Association, the Indian Navy launched a high voltage rescue operation to rescue stranded Indians. Based on this information, the Indian Navy immediately deployed INS Sunayna in Western Arabian Sea for the humanitarian and disaster relief operation.

The operation, code name 'NISTAR', was carried out on the Sunday morning off the coast of Socotra. The evacuated Indians were embarked onboard and immediately provided with medical care, food, water and telephone facilities to call and reassure their families at home. All 38 have been reported to be safe.