Indian Navy's missile destroyer evacuates 439 Indians from Yemen

Amid war-like conditions in Aden, the Navy's guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai on Saturday evacuated 439 Indians, including a pregnant woman, from the port city of Yemen.

The warship, which has set sail for Djibouti, had placed itself just outside Aden harbour as part of 'Operation Raahat' as heavy firing was reported in Aden where the Saudi-led coalition is fighting Houthi rebels who are making a bid for the city. Indian authorities had hired small crafts to move 30-35 Indians at a time from the port to INS Mumbai, the Navy said.

"Absolute tough environment at Aden... Evacuation of stranded Indians were carried out in almost war-like conditions by Indian Naval Ship Mumbai," a Navy official said. The evacuees include a pregnant woman who is being taken care by Navy personnel.

The Navy said INS Sumitra was unable to rescue Indians from Al Mukalla port in Yemen on Saturday. It will try and evacuate the stranded Indians on Sunday. Al Mukalla city has been overrun by al-Qaeda.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin made a faux pas on his Twitter handle, calling human beings 'cargo'.

Precious cargo.INS Mumbai 2 sail frm Aden 2 Djibouti in pitch darkness with precious cargo of 439 evacuated frm Yemen pic.twitter.com/vy8xMONd3r

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 4, 2015