(Repeating, correcting para one)

Dubai, Aug 10 (UNI) Two ships of the Indian Navy, which formed part of the Indian ''Sea-Air Bridge'' to evacuate Indians and other friendly nationalities from war-torn Lebanon to Cyprus, have arrived in Oman's Port of Salalah.

The two ships, INS Brahmaputra and INS Betwa, which arrived in Oman yesterday, are part of the Task Force 54, of the Western Fleet based at Mumbai.

The ships, which had been on routine deployment in the Mediterranean Sea, were returning to the Indian Ocean when they were ordered to prepare for the evacuation, Times of Oman reported.

Task Force 54, under the command of Rear Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, carried out the largest post-Independence civilian-evacuation operation undertaken by the Indian Navy from Lebanon.

A total of 1,495 stranded Indians and other nationalities, including some Lebanese nationals, were evacuated.

These humanitarian operations vindicate Indian Navy's current policy of progressive regional engagement.

UNI XC SI SND1248