International media appreciates Operation Sukoon

Mumbai, Aug 11: The international media has appreciated the Indian Navy's 'Operation Sukoon' launched for evacuating stranded Indians in the war zone in Lebanon.

Operation Sukoon now famously known as the 'Beirut Sealift' largest since 'Dunkirk' evacuation was executed by Task Force-54, which comprised of Guided Missile Destroyer, Indian Naval Ship(INS) Mumbai, Guided Missile Frigates Brahamputra and Betwa and the Logistics Support ship Shakti. The force was part of an overseas deployment in the Mediterannean, when conflict erupted in Lebanon placing thousands of Indians at peril.

The Task Force evacuated about 2,280 people including some Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals from July 19th to August 1.

Addressing mediapersons yesterday, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Anup Singh, who commanded the Task Force-54, said Indian ships were among the first to sail into the troubled waters of Beirut for evacuation inspite of an Israeli sea blockade and impending threat of an attack.

He added that several other countries including the US were dependent on hired vessels to ferry their nationals to safety or to international waters.

'The Cyprus Weekly' in its July edition said, ''The Indian Government was keen to tell the world that its navy destroyer INS Mumbai had to 'Charge into Beirut' to fetch evacuees to the safe shores of Cyprus''.

The weekly futher says,''Most of the bunks were vacated by the crew members to make life easier for their stressed brethern who had a hearty lunch in Beirut, a sumptuous dinner on board an Indian naval ship for the first time, and a memorable breakfast.'' A media report from Belgium said the Indian-designed INS Mumbai, like its sister ships of the 6,700 tonne Delhi class, outclasses the British Type 42 Her Majesty's Ship(HMS)Gloucester, which is 20 meters shorter, 1,500 tonnes lighter and less heavily armed.

UNI

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