The first batch of 145 Haj pilgrims arrived here on Saturday at the Srinagar International Airport after completing their pilgrimage, officials said.
In a rare gesture, a group of Kashmiri Pandits welcomed pilgrims at Srinagar airport by singing traditional Naat (poetry in praise of the Prophet Mohammad). They also distributed roses to the pilgrims.
Officials said the Haj pilgrims landed here this morning.
The pilgrims were received at the airport by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole, Deputy Inspector General of police Central Kashmir Range Sujit Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Shahbaz Mirza, Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam Tahir Saleem and J&K Executive Officer Haj Committee Abdul Salaam Mir.
This year 6,072 pilgrims from the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh performed the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Except Srinagar district, the Haj Committee has asked the relatives of the pilgrims desiring to receive their loved ones at the airport to collect vehicle passes from the office of respective Deputy Commissioner’s two days prior to date of arrival.
“In case of Srinagar, the vehicle passes shall be available at Haj House, Bemina, two days prior to date of arrival,” an official said.
The last flight with Haj pilgrims at Srinagar Airport is scheduled on August 2.
