6,000 yatris fly out of Srinagar
Over 5,800 leave by scheduled flights; others moved by IAF after security alert
04/08/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, ,NEW DELHI
04/08/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, ,NEW DELHI
Valley of fear: People queuing up to stock up on petrol in Srinagar on Saturday.AFP
Nearly 6,000 pilgrims were flown out of Srinagar on Saturday by commercial airlines and the Indian Air Force after the Centre called off the Amarnath yatra and asked devotees to return home, citing security concerns.
As many as 6,216 people turned up at the Srinagar International Airport, out of which 5,829 pilgrims travelled by 32 scheduled flights. The remaining 387 persons were flown on four IAF aircraft to destinations such as Jammu, Pathankot and Hindon, according to a statement from the Airports Authority of India.
Airfares shoot up
The Civil Aviation Ministry has asked airlines to rein in the surge in airfares to help the pilgrims return. Travel portal yatra.com showed airfares in the range of ₹11,000-₹18,000 for a Srinagar-Delhi flight on Sunday.
“Yatris will get special flights and controlled fares but what will happen to patients, students and other people who have to travel,” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah posted on Twitter, urging Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri to take remedial steps.
Earlier various airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and Vistara, announced a full waiver on cancellation and rescheduling of flights from and to Srinagar following an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Militant killed
Meanwhile, a militant was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Sopore on Saturday morning. One soldier was injured. The gunfight began at Malmanpora after a team of the Army, the police and the CRPF launched a search.
(With inputs from
Peerzada Ashiq)
Nearly 6,000 pilgrims were flown out of Srinagar on Saturday by commercial airlines and the Indian Air Force after the Centre called off the Amarnath yatra and asked devotees to return home, citing security concerns.
As many as 6,216 people turned up at the Srinagar International Airport, out of which 5,829 pilgrims travelled by 32 scheduled flights. The remaining 387 persons were flown on four IAF aircraft to destinations such as Jammu, Pathankot and Hindon, according to a statement from the Airports Authority of India.
Airfares shoot up
The Civil Aviation Ministry has asked airlines to rein in the surge in airfares to help the pilgrims return. Travel portal yatra.com showed airfares in the range of ₹11,000-₹18,000 for a Srinagar-Delhi flight on Sunday.
“Yatris will get special flights and controlled fares but what will happen to patients, students and other people who have to travel,” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah posted on Twitter, urging Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri to take remedial steps.
Earlier various airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and Vistara, announced a full waiver on cancellation and rescheduling of flights from and to Srinagar following an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Militant killed
Meanwhile, a militant was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Sopore on Saturday morning. One soldier was injured. The gunfight began at Malmanpora after a team of the Army, the police and the CRPF launched a search.
(With inputs from
Peerzada Ashiq)
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