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Srinagar, Apr 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee on Wednesday issued the flight schedule for the first batch of the intended pilgrims departing from Srinagar for the pilgrimage this year.

According to an official notification, a copy of which also lies with the news agency, the first flight (SG-5304) is scheduled to take off on May 04, 2025.

As per the notification, pilgrims travelling on this flight have been instructed to report at Haj House, Bemina, Srinagar, between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM on the day of departure.

The J&K Haj Committee has urged pilgrims to strictly adhere to the reporting time and ensure that only standard baggage, free of banned items, is carried as check-in luggage.

The committee stated that the flight schedule for the remaining pilgrims will be notified separately.

According to the officials, over 3,600 pilgrims from J&K are scheduled to perform Hajj this year under the government quota.

Earlier, the Saudi government this year imposed a temporary ban on the issuance of Umrah, tourist, and visit visas ahead of the Hajj season, which sparked concerns among aspiring pilgrims.

However, officials clarified that this move was a routine pre-Hajj measure and would not affect the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage from India, including Jammu & Kashmir.

The officials said the move aimed to streamline the Hajj process and reduce issues faced by officially registered pilgrims.

As per the officials, the early travel restrictions comes after the tragedy during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, where over 1,000 people died.(KNO)