Pilgrims from Ladakh leave for Hajj: Officials

Srinagar, May 16: In a timely intervention, 240 Haj pilgrims from Ladakh were successfully airlifted from Srinagar to Delhi and onward to Madina Munawara via two flights. The pilgrims have now safely reached their destination, a press release said.

Initially, the flights for Ladakhi Haj pilgrims were canceled on May 9 due to operational challenges at the Srinagar Embarkation Point.

However, swift coordination ensured their smooth departure today.

An emotional and prayer-filled send-off was held at the Haj House, Srinagar, where pilgrims from Leh and Kargil districts were flagged off by dignitaries including Chairperson, Haj Committee, UT Ladakh, Mohammad Ali Majaz Member, Haj Committee, UT Ladakh Haji Nazir Ahmad, Members Haj Committee UT Ladakh, Mirza Hussain Councilor, Executive Officer, JK Haj Committee, Dr Shujat Ahmad, Haj Officer, Haj Committee, UT Ladakh Haji Ali, and other staffs.

The  Chairperson extended heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju Ji, Lt Governor, UT Ladakh - Brigade Dr B D Mishra, General Consulate of India, Jeddah - Mr. F.A. Khan Suri, Chief Executive Officer, Haj Committee of India Mumbai - Shahnavas C, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir - Shahnavas C, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil /Leh, Superintendent of Police Traffic Kashmir/Ladakh, Executive Officer (Nodal Officer Embarkation point) JK Haj Committee Srinagar for their timely intervention and support in arranging additional flights for Ladakhi Haj pilgrims.

The Chairperson also thanked the team of Airlines Authority of India, Srinagar, National Security Force/JK Police/ JK Home Guard, Health Department JK and Ladakh UT, Spice Jet Airlines, JK SRTC, Staff of JK Haj Committee Srinagar for their logistical support to the Ladakhi Haj pilgrims.

The Haj pilgrims of Ladakh expressed their appreciation to the Hon'ble Chairperson and officials for their prompt action in securing early sanction of additional flights.