Shimla, March 4 -- Amid growing concerns over Himachalis stranded in the West Asia following the attack on Iran by the US and Israel, the Himachal Pradesh government will issue a dedicated contact number.

The principal media advisor to the Himachal Pradesh chief minister, Naresh Chauhan, on Tuesday said, "Around 50,000 people from Himachal are stranded in Gulf countries. We are issuing a helpline number through which people from Himachal who are in those countries can get in touch. They can share their difficulties, tell us whether they want to return, whether they are safe and secure, or whether they want us to contact their families on their behalf."

Chauhan, while speaking to HT in Shimla on Tuesday, said, "The evolving global situat...