First batch of 431 Haj pilgrims leaves from JK
CM sees off first group from Srinagar
Srinagar: The first batch of 431 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia for the annual Haj pilgrimage on Saturday, officials said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah bid farewell to the first batch of Haj pilgrims from Srinagar International Airport, officials said.
The pilgrims, including 230 males and 201 females, left in three flights, they said.
All the required arrangements for transportation, baggage handling and documentation have been put in place at the Haj House at Bemina here to ensure a smooth departure process, the officials said.
Hundreds of family members of those leaving gathered outside the Haj House to bid farewell to the pilgrims.
A total of 4,764 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will embark on the holy pilgrimage this year.
The Chief Minister interacted with the pilgrims, extending warm greetings and wishing them a safe, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling journey. He expressed hope that the sacred pilgrimage would reinforce the values of compassion, unity and brotherhood.
Speaking to the pilgrims, the Chief Minister prayed for the successful completion of Haj and sought divine blessings for lasting peace, harmony and prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir, as well as the well-being of its people.
As part of the first phase of operations, three flights carrying 431 pilgrims were scheduled to depart today from Srinagar International Airport. In total, 28 flights will operate between April 18 and May 5, 2026, to facilitate the pilgrimage.
This year, 4,706 pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir will perform Haj.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Director Airport Srinagar, senior civil and police officials, members of the J&K Haj Committee, Airport Authority officials, and representatives of concerned departments were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Chakraborty also visited Haj House, Bemina where 1st batch of Hajj Pilgrims left in Buses for Srinagar International Airport.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, Cief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, SDM, West, Irfan Bahadur, Executive Officer, J&K Haj Committee, Dr. Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, SP, West Imtiyaz, CMO Srinagar and other senior Officers of Civil and Police, besides, members of Hajj Committee and other concerned were present on the occasion to see off the Haj Pilgrims.
Interacting with the Pilgrims, the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar congratulated them and extended his best wishes for a safe and smooth journey.
The DC along with SSP welcomed the pilgrims along with the senior officers of various line departments and wished for their safe and seamless journey and also wished for their wellbeing throughout.
