Srinagar, April 25, 2025: The Maharashtra government organised a second special flight on Thursday, April 24, 2025, carrying 184 passengers from Srinagar to Mumbai, providing critical relief to tourists stranded in Jammu and Kashmir following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. The attack, which killed 26 people in Baisaran Valley, prompted urgent evacuation efforts, with the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, stepping up to ensure the safe return of travellers, particularly from Maharashtra.
The flight took off from Sheikh ul Alam International Airport in Srinagar and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The operation, part of a broader initiative to evacuate tourists shaken by the violence, was personally overseen by Shinde, who was seen welcoming passengers in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena highlighted its role on social media, noting that this flight followed an earlier one that transported 75 tourists, with the party claiming to have facilitated the return of over 520 travellers overall.
The Maharashtra government, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has also been proactive, deploying state Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan to Srinagar to coordinate rescue operations. Fadnavis confirmed that the state arranged two special flights to bring back 500 tourists free of charge, emphasising the government’s commitment to their safety. However, tensions surfaced when Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske claimed the party’s efforts outshone the government’s, crediting Shinde’s leadership for enabling even first-time flyers to travel securely.
The evacuation efforts have not been without political friction. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut criticised the ruling coalition for engaging in a “credit war” during a crisis, urging unity in addressing the terror threat. “Maharashtra’s focus should be on supporting the affected, not political rivalry,” Raut remarked, highlighting the overlapping claims by Shinde and Fadnavis.
The Maharashtra government’s initiative, alongside state efforts, reflects a determined response to restore normalcy and reassure travellers amidst the ongoing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir.
