Afghan evacuation: Air India flight arrives in Delhi from Dushanbe with 78 passengers

India has been making strenuous efforts to evacuate several people from war-torn Afghanistan after Taliban took over almost the whole country.  

Indian government has said on social media that it is helping in the safe return of numerous citizens from Afghanistan.

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An Air India flight AI 1956 arrived in New Delhi from Dushanbe, Tajikistan with 78 passengers onboard. Around 25 Indian nationals also came in the flight.  

"Op Devi Shakti continues. 78 evacuees from Kabul arrive via Dushanbe. Salute IAF, Air India and MEA teams for their untiring efforts," said External Affairs Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar.

Evacuees were earlier flown in from Kabul on an Indian Air Force aircraft. 

In a tweet, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India, said “Helping in the safe return from Afghanistan. AI 1956 enroute to Delhi from Dushanbe carrying 78 passengers, including 25 Indian nationals. Evacuees were flown in from Kabul on an IAF aircraft.”

On Monday, India brought back 146 of its nationals in four different flights from Qatar's capital Doha, days after they were evacuated from Afghanistan by NATO and American aircraft in view of the deteriorating security situation in the country.  

Watch: India brings back 146 nationals in four different flights from Doha

People familiar with the development said the Indians were flown back to Delhi as part of India's mission to evacuate its citizens and Afghan partners from Kabul, they said. 

(With inputs from agencies)