Srinagar, Oct 24: At last 34 Kashmiri pilgrims who travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah remain stranded after the cancellation of their return flights, with dwindling financial resources making it increasingly difficult for them to meet daily expenses.
The pilgrims were scheduled to return to Kashmir on October 13 but could not board their flights amid prevailing security concerns, as per news agency JKNS.
The stranded pilgrims have appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Government for urgent intervention to facilitate their safe and early return home.
The prolonged stay has left the group under financial strain, with several pilgrims reportedly struggling to afford accommodation, food and medicines. They said their available funds were running low, leaving them uncertain about how to manage their expenses until their return.
According to an updated flight cancellation schedule shared by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, IndiGo flights to and from Riyadh will remain cancelled until October 31, 2026, while services connecting Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain cancelled until October 27.
While some passengers have managed to return through indirect routes and connecting flights, the stranded pilgrims said the high cost of these alternatives was beyond the means of many members of the group.
They have urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the airlines concerned to ensure their safe and early return to Jammu and Kashmir.
The pilgrims said the prolonged uncertainty had compounded their financial difficulties and caused considerable mental distress, urging the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
