673 pilgrims reach Srinagar in 2 flights

‘10 pilgrims passed away, 4 missing during pilgrimage’
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 30: Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Mr Abdul Rehman Veeri received the first batch of Hajjis at Srinagar International Airport who returned here today after performing Hajj.
The Director General of Police, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Secretary Revenue, Inspector General Police Kashmir, IG Traffic, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Director Airports Authority of India, and other Civil and Police officers were also present on the occasion.
While interacting with the returning pilgrims, Veeri felicitated them for performing Hajj. He said all the requisite arrangements have been put in place to facilitate hassle-free return of the pilgrims to their respective destinations.
The Hajjis expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Government for their smooth travel and stay at the Holy places in Saudi Arabia.
As many as 336 Hajjis arrived at the Srinagar Airport in the first Indian Airlines flight this morning while 337 pilgrims arrived in the second flight.
Interacting with the media-persons, the Minister said that 6642 intending Hajjis had left for performing Hajj from the State this year. He said 10 pilgrims passed away during the pilgrimage. He informed that one Haji namely Ghulam Hassan S/O Ghulam Ahmad Kharadi R/O Doulatabad Khanayar, Srinagar Cover No: JKR-8305-5-0 died in Crane accident at Mecca.
The Hajj Minister said that as per latest information received from Consulate General of India and Executive Officer J&K State Hajj Committee, camped at Mecca, three Hajjis namely Abdul Salam s/o Mohammad Shaban Dar R/o Mustafa Abad Colony Old HMT Road Zainakote Srinagar, Cover NO. JKR-9416-2-0, Mohammad Amin S/o Ghulam Qadir R/O H. No. 335/2-C Bilal Colony Bemina, Srinagar with cover No JKR-2402-2-0 and Mehraj-ud-Din S/o Abdul Rehman R/O Patlipora Bala Chatabal, Srinagar with cover No: JKF 6955-2-0 died in Mina stampede.
Mr. Veeri said that circumstances of death of two Hajjis Mukhta Banoo with cover No: JKR-254-02-0 and Abdul Wahid S/O Abdullah Malik R/O Gulabad Arampora Sopore with cover No: JKR-8425-2-0 is yet to be confirmed.
The Minister said that four Hajjis namely Ghulam Nabi S/o Habibbullah Dar R/O Syedpora, Hamchi Srinagar with cover No: JKR-1882-2-0, Siraj-ud-Din Sahaf cover No: JKR-195-02-0, Syed Mohi-ud-Din Shah cover No: JKR-10196-02-0 and Parveen Akhtar Cover No: JKR-3196-2-0 passed away by natural death.
Mr. Veeri further informed that according to Consulate General of India, four Hajjis namely Abdul Hamid Khan S/o Mohammad Ayoub Khan R/O Hapatnard, Seer Hamdan, Anantnag cover No: JKR-2127-2-0, Ghulam Mohammad S/o Abdul Sheikh R/o Doubgah Kandi P/O Sultanpora P/S Chandoosa, Baramulla, with cover No: JKF-12809-1-0, Hajra Begum w/o Mohammad Akbar Ganai, Baramulla Cover No: JKR-2757 and Sara Begum w/o Ghulam Rasool Sofi R/O HMT Zainakote near SICOP, Srinagar with cover No: JKR-2585 were injured Mina stampede.
The Minister said that as per reports from Executive Officer, J&K Hajj Committee, four Hajjis namely Ghulam Nabi S/O Abdul Rehman Hajam R/O Adergam Pattan Baramulla with cover No: JKR-9100-2-0, Zamruda Ganaie W/O Ghulam Rasool Chraloo with Cover No: JKF-6955-2-0, Abdul Khaliq S/O Lasso Naikoo R/O Panjoora Shopian with cover No. JKR-9084-2-0 and Shijhat Hussain S/O Mohammad Ayaz Malik R/O Gurdal Aloosa Bandipora with cover No: JKR-10217-2-0 are missing after Mina stampede. The Minister said that the State Hajj Committee officials camping at Mecca are in constant touch with Consulate General of India and officials of Saudi Arabia to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing Hajjis besides ensuring best medicare facilities for the injured.