*First Batch Of 431 Haj Pilgrims Leaves From J&K; CM Omar Sees Them Off At Airport*
SRINAGAR, Apr 18: The first batch of 431 Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saw them off at the airport here, officials said.
The pilgrims, including 230 males and 201 females, left in three flights, they said.
Officials said all required arrangements for transportation, baggage handling and documentation have been put in place at the Haj House in Bemina here to ensure a smooth departure process.
Hundreds of family members of pilgrims gathered outside the Haj House to bid them farewell.
A total of 4,764 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will embark on the pilgrimage this year.
The chief minister saw off the first batch of Haj-2026 pilgrims at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, here, his office said in a post on X. “He extended his best wishes to the pilgrims for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey and requested them to pray for peace, progress, and prosperity of Jammu & Kashmir,” the CM’s office said.
It said the chief minister also directed officials to ensure smooth facilitation and adequate arrangements for all pilgrims, focusing on seamless coordination, passenger convenience, and timely assistance at every stage of the journey.
