South Sudan unrest: ‘All Indians safe,’ confirms ambassador

Heavy fighting in South Sudan's capital was witnessed as former rebels and government soldiers exchanged fire in several parts of the city.

Juba

: Amid heavy fighting between former rebels and government soldiers in South Sudan, the Indian embassy in the East African country swung into action after Sushma Swaraj tweeted for the quick rescue operation of Indian nationals in the region.

Following Swaraj's direction, the Indian embassy asked Indians stranded in Juba to stay calm, assuring them that they are in constant touch with authorities in India and all options are being considered to provide relief to them amid heavy in fighting between South Sudan's army and former rebels.

\"The Indian embassy is in regular touch with concerned authorities with concerned authorities in India and all options are being considered for providing relief to Indians stranded here in Juba. All are requested to keep calm and await further development and further inputs from the embassy,\" External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj retweeted Indian embassy in South Sudan's statement.

@Bhupat_patel84 @SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/wU5E15dzlR

— India in South Sudan (@eoijuba) July 10, 2016

Bhupat Patel, an Indian resident in South Sudan, tweeted to Swaraj asking for help, saying that they are stuck in between heavy gunfire. Swaraj retweeted the Indian embassy in South Sudan's statement and said that concerned authorities have been intimated to extend help.

Heavy fighting in South Sudan's capital was witnessed today as former rebels and government soldiers exchanged fire in several parts of the city.

The violence comes a day after the world's youngest country marked its fifth independence anniversary.