Operation Nistar Successfully Culminates with Safe Disembarkation of 38 Indian Nationals at Porbandar

Operation Nistar Successfully Culminates with Safe Disembarkation of 38 Indian Nationals at Porbandar

Indian Naval Ship Sunayna entered Porbandar harbour at 0900 hrs on 07 June 2018 after successfully evacuating 38 Indian Nationals from/ off Socotra Island during a swift Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operation code named Operation 'Nistar'.

The Indian nationals were stranded for nearly ten days after severe Cyclonic Storm – Mekunu devastated the area around Socotra Island. INS Sunayna was diverted from Gulf of Aden deployment to Socotra Island for search and rescue operations after Indian Navy received a distress call from Directorate General of Shipping and Indian Sailing Vessels Association. The 38 Indian nationals were successfully rescued/ evacuated in the morning of 03 June 2018. All evacuees were safely embarked onboard the ship and were immediately provided with medical care, food, water and telephone facilities. Thereafter, the ship also undertook intensive surface search and aerial reconnaissance of the area to look for any more survivors.

Upon entering harbour INS Sunayna was received by Rear Admiral Sanjay Roye, Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman & Diu Naval Area. After initial briefing about the scheduled disembarkation formalities, all 38 Indian nationals were put through mandatory customs clearance and immigration checks. Post completion of all the administrative formalities, they were handed over to the civil police to facilitate return to their respective native places.