Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, May 17, 2025: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has pressed the Government of India to deploy additional Haj flights from Srinagar to resolve a backlog of 1,895 pilgrims stranded due to recent flight disruptions. The delays stem from a week-long suspension of operations at Srinagar’s Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, triggered by a military standoff between India and Pakistan from May 9 to May 13, 2025, following Operation Sindoor.
Addressing the issue, CM Omar Abdullah emphasised the urgency of facilitating the pilgrimage, stating, “The Government is committed to ensuring our pilgrims can undertake their sacred journey to Mecca without further delays. We have requested the Centre to arrange special flights to clear the backlog promptly.” The disruptions, caused by heightened security measures after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor, halted 32 airports nationwide, including Srinagar, canceling at least seven Haj flights between May 7 and May 12.
The committee reported that 3,372 pilgrims had departed by May 15, with the first batch of 178 leaving on May 11, flagged off by CM Abdullah and Governor Manoj Sinha.
Pilgrims expressed relief at the government’s efforts, with many, like Srinagar resident Malik Abrar Altaf, voicing spiritual resolve. “Hajj is a journey of the soul. We will pray for peace in our homeland,” Altaf said. The J&K government’s proactive stance aligns with its broader efforts to balance regional security and civilian needs, as seen in the recent Tiranga rallies in Udhampur and other areas celebrating Operation Sindoor’s success.
The call for additional flights has raised hopes among pilgrims and their families, who await swift action to ensure the timely completion of their sacred pilgrimage.
