Home they bring their compatriots safe

As Israeli bombs were ripping through Lebanon, the Indian Navy was busy rescuing Indians caught in the cross-fire.

On Thursday, the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy kissed Indian shores with its second lot of evacuees. Operation Sukoon, under the flagship of Rear Admiral Anup Singh evacuated about 887 people, 784 of whom were Indians — mostly women and children.

“It was a satisfying experience. All the Indian central agencies worked in tandem to make the operation a success,” said Singh, minutes after descending from the ship that returned from Lebanon. “The labour class is the worst hit. They are the most insecure and just want to flee Lebanon. When they saw us Indians, they knew they were in safe hands.”

The rescue operations were undertaken in two phases: In the first ‘lift’ (on 21 July 2006), 608 people were evacuated, while in the second ‘lift’ (on 23 July 2006), another 887 were taken aboard the Indian designed-and-built INS Mumbai, INS Brahmaputra and INS Betwa (both guided-missile Frigates) and brought to the safety of the port of Larnaca, in south-east Lebanon.

“It was a learning experience for me. After all the grief and bloodshed, when I saw smiling faces, I felt proud,” said a young officer who was a part of the rescue operations.