EAM facilitating to bring back mortal remains of Kashmiri youth from Saudi Arabia: JKSA

Srinagar, Sep 5: The External Affairs Minister’s Office on Friday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is actively extending all possible assistance in the case of the late Shakir Ahmad Sheikh, who tragically passed away in Saudi Arabia, it said.

In its official communication, Under Secretary to the External Affairs Minister, Bibhuti Nath Pandey, assured the Association that the Ministry is fully seized of the matter and will provide every necessary support to ensure the early repatriation of the mortal remains, said the press release.

He also conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Ministry over the untimely demise of Shakir Sheikh.

National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that the Under Secretary to the External Affairs Minister informed Association that the relative of the deceased, Umar, in coordination with the employer, was contacted a day after the Association submitted its letter along with the required documents and passport details to the Minister’s office.

Umar is currently collecting the necessary reports and documents from the concerned Saudi authorities, which will soon be submitted to the Embassy. Once the complete set of documents is received, the Embassy will issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC). Thereafter, the process of dispatching the mortal remains to India will be initiated after completing the necessary local formalities.

Second Secretary (Consular) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Praveen Kumar, also assured that the Embassy is closely monitoring the case and remains in constant touch with the concerned authorities and the family. He emphasized that the Embassy will extend all possible facilitation to ensure that the mortal remains are transported to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest. JKSA thanked External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Ministry, and the Embassy officials for their prompt response and continued support.