First batch of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir leaves for Hajj
The Hindu
About 6,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage this year
The first batch of 145 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday left for Saudi Arabia on the annual Hajj pilgrimage which was resumed this year after remaining suspended for two years in the wake of COVID-19, officials said.
About 6,000 pilgrims from the union territory are scheduled to undertake the pilgrimage this year, they said.
According to the officials, while there will be only a single direct flight from Srinagar airport to Jeddah airport for the first five days, two flights will operate thereafter.
"All arrangements have been put in place. Everything is going on smoothly and the pilgrims will not face any problems," executive officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee Abdul Salam Mir told reporters here.
He said all the pilgrims tested negative for COVID-19.
The pilgrimage was flagged off by executive officer and member of the Hajj Committee of India Aijaz Hussain.
He said the Hajj Committee and the union territory government have made all arrangements for the pilgrimage.
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