On April 23, 2025, the mortal remains of the victims of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack were brought to Srinagar’s technical airport for transportation to their respective home states. The attack, which occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed at least 26 lives, mostly tourists, marking it as one of the deadliest assaults in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack.
The coffins, carrying the bodies of the deceased, arrived at the airport amid a somber atmosphere, with state government representatives coordinating the dignified repatriation process. The victims hailed from various states, including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh, alongside one tourist from Nepal and a local from Pahalgam. Special flights have been arranged to ensure the remains reach their native places, with 24 flights scheduled to multiple destinations across India.
Karnataka’s Labour Minister Santosh Lad was among the officials present in Srinagar, overseeing arrangements for the return of Manjunath Rao, a Shivamogga resident killed in the attack. Similarly, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde coordinated with Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu to facilitate the transportation of victims from Mumbai. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed the deaths of three residents—Bitan Adhikari, Samir Guha, and Manish Ranjan—arranging for their remains to arrive in Kolkata by 8:30 PM on Wednesday.
Following the attack, Air India and IndiGo announced four additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai to assist stranded tourists and support the repatriation process. Airlines, including Air India Express and Akasa Air, have waived cancellation and rescheduling fees for flights to and from Srinagar until April 30, ensuring no financial burden on affected passengers. The Civil Aviation Ministry, under Naidu’s directive, issued a strong advisory against surge pricing to maintain regular fare levels during this crisis.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday, paid tributes to the victims through a wreath-laying ceremony at the Police Control Room before visiting Baisaran meadow. Shah met with grieving families, assuring them of justice, and chaired a high-level security meeting to address the crisis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, returned to Delhi to lead a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, emphasizing a robust response to the attack.
The Pahalgam attack, attributed to 4-6 terrorists allegedly linked to The Resistance Front (TRF) and Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted tourists in the scenic Baisaran meadow, known as “Mini Switzerland.” Among the victims was Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Haryana, killed during his honeymoon. Security forces have launched extensive search operations to apprehend the perpetrators, with the National Investigation Agency assisting local police.
As the nation mourns, Jammu and Kashmir observed a bandh, with local newspapers publishing black front pages in solidarity. The government has set up 24/7 emergency help desks in Srinagar and Anantnag, and contact numbers, including that of Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Adil Farid (7006058623), have been shared for coordination.
The repatriation of the victims’ remains marks a poignant step in the aftermath of this tragedy, with the country united in grief and resolve to combat terrorism.
