Special Flights Evacuate 458 Maharashtra Tourists from Kashmir After Terror Attack

Mumbai: In the aftermath of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran area of Jammu and Kashmir, the Maharashtra government, in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, successfully evacuated 458 stranded tourists from the state through three special flights. The attack, which occurred earlier this week, claimed the lives of 26 people, including six from Maharashtra, triggering panic among travelers.

On Thursday, three specially arranged flights carrying Maharashtra residents landed safely in Mumbai. Among them, a flight arranged personally by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde brought 65 tourists to Mumbai at 3:30 AM. Two other commercial carriers – Indigo flight 6E3251 and Air India flight AI1662 – transported 231 and 162 passengers respectively, landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport around 6:22 PM.

Deputy CM Shinde traveled to Srinagar to oversee and expedite the evacuation process. He assured the public that the state government is committed to ensuring the safe return of every resident still in Kashmir. “More flights will be arranged if needed,” said Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation.

Maharashtra remains the largest contributor to Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, both in terms of footfall and spending power. Following the attack, several tourists began making urgent arrangements to return home. Authorities are urging visitors to stay in contact with local administration offices for updates and evacuation support.

Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, as the state government works to ensure the safety of all its citizens currently in the region.