Srinagar, Jul 14 (KNS): The first group of Jammu and Kashmiri pilgrims left for the holy city of Medina early Saturday to perform this year’s Hajj ritual in Saudi Arabia.
Governor N N Vohra accompanied by Divisional commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, ADGP law and order Munir Ahmad Khan and Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr Sehrish Asgar accorded a warm send off to the first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir and wished them a safe journey.
Vohra along with other officials reached Srinagar International Airport this morning wherefrom the first group of 820 pilgrims left for the holy city of Medina in four Air India flights.
According to the officials, special buses were put in place for the pilgrims from the Srinagar Hajj House in Bemina area to Srinagar International Airport here.
Officials divulged that the last group of Hajj pilgrims will be leaving for the holy city on July 25 while as the first group of pilgrims will return the State on August 25 and the last on September 07, 2018.
It is worth to mention here that over 10,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will perform Hajj this year.
Earlier, All India Hajj Committee had sanctioned additional quota of 250 seats to the state. (KNS)