Navy ship INS Shardul begins evacuation of Indians from Iran to Porbandar

Covid-related social distancing norms have been catered on board INS Shardul and the ship has been especially provisioned for the evacuation operation

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shardul on Monday started the process of evacuating Indians from Bandar Abbas in Iran to Probandar in Gujarat, said the Navy.

The evacuation is part of Operation Samudra Setu, which is itself a part of the Vande Bharat Mission that began in early May to bring back stranded Indians from abroad amid the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

INS Jalashwa and INS Magar have already evacuated 2,874 personnel from Maldives and Sri Lanka to ports of Kochi and Tuticorin, the Navy said in its statement.