How Centre helped distressed tourists return home from J&K after Pahalgam attack

Refreshments being served to passengers waiting at the Srinagar airport (Civil Aviation Ministry via PTI Photo)

When the whole nation was mourning the brutal killing of tourists in Pahalgam, the tireless efforts of the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) went largely unnoticed.

Evacuating traumatized tourists stranded in the Valley — who were desperate to return home following the attack — was no easy task.

However, the civil aviation ministry went all out to ensure that the families, along with their dead relatives, reached their respective destinations safely.

According to the data received from the DGCA, on April 23, the bodies of the victims were sent to their hometowns along with 123 accompanying family members.

The last additional flight of SpiceJet, carrying 13 relatives and other stranded passengers, departed from the Srinagar airport at 10:45pm on Wednesday.

Here's the DGCA flight data for April 23 from Srinagar, a day after the Pahalgam attack:

• Total Arrival of Flights: 57
• Total Departure of flights: 57
• Total Arrival of passengers: 6196
• Total departure of passengers: 10,534
• Total flight on April 23: 114
• Total number of passengers who travelled to and from Srinagar: 16730

A total of 52 scheduled and 7 additional flights were operated on April 23 from the Srinagar airport to clear the rush of stranded passengers.

A makeshift tent was set up at the airport alongside two canopies with adequate seating for the passengers. Food was also served to more than 1,200 passengers who were waiting for their flights.

The airport control room is operating in close coordination with airlines, security agencies and the state government to ensure the dignified transfer of mortal remains and accompanying family members, while also monitoring passenger arrivals and facilities. Under DGCA guidance, all stakeholders are handling passengers with the utmost sensitivity and care.