Srinagar, Oct 23: At least 34 Kashmiri pilgrims who travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah have been stranded there after their return flights were cancelled, leaving them struggling to meet daily expenses and prompting an appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir administration for urgent assistance.
The pilgrims said they were scheduled to return to Kashmir on October 13 but could not board their flights due to cancellations amid prevailing security concerns in the region.
According to an updated schedule shared by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh on X, IndiGo has extended the cancellation of flights to and from Riyadh until October 31, 2026. Flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain cancelled until October 27.
The cancellations come amid heightened security concerns and regional tensions following recent drone and missile strikes.
The stranded pilgrims said some passengers had managed to return through indirect routes and connecting flights, but such alternatives were financially out of reach for many members of the group.
They said their financial reserves were running low, making it increasingly difficult to cover accommodation, food, medicines and other essential expenses during their prolonged stay.
The pilgrims have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the concerned airlines to facilitate their safe and early return to Jammu and Kashmir.
They said the uncertainty surrounding their return had caused considerable financial hardship and mental distress, urging the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the situation.
