By : Alia Kashmiri

Dozens of groups of Kashmiri Umrah pilgrims are reportedly stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight cancellations amid regional tensions, prompting tour operators to seek government intervention to ensure their safe return to Jammu and Kashmir. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

According to tour operators in the Valley, several groups of pilgrims who travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah are awaiting arrangements to return home. Flight cancellations have affected services to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah.

The Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj and Umrah Companies (JKAHUC) has expressed concern over the situation, stating that hundreds of pilgrims remain affected.

JKAHUC Secretary General M. Younis Zahid said around 30 to 35 tour operators from Jammu and Kashmir have groups of pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia.

“We cannot share the exact figures, but it would be more than 300 pilgrims who are stuck due to the cancellation of flight operations,” Zahid said.

He said the All India Haj Umrah Tour Organisers Association had approached the concerned ministry, seeking urgent intervention to facilitate the return of stranded pilgrims.

Zahid added that the association in Jammu and Kashmir had also appealed to the authorities and the government to provide assistance to those affected.

“We want the pilgrims to be assisted with food and accommodation till the flight operations resume,” he said.

Indian Embassy Coordinating Return Arrangements

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah were coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims.

In a post on X, Jaiswal said around 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had returned from Saudi Arabia to India over the previous week on available flights. This was in addition to more than 10,000 pilgrims who had completed their scheduled Umrah journeys and returned during the same period.

He said arrangements were being discussed to facilitate the return of the remaining Umrah pilgrims as soon as possible.

The MEA spokesperson added that the Embassy and Consulate, with support from community volunteers, were providing welfare assistance to affected Indian nationals.

Round-the-clock control rooms have also been established to assist Indian citizens, while regular advisories are being issued to keep them informed about the situation.

Centre Says Remaining Pilgrims Are Being Assisted

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiran Rijiju also addressed the situation, stating that the government was working to assist the remaining stranded pilgrims.

In a post on X, Rijiju said the government remained proactive in addressing the concerns of Indian citizens. He added that the stranded Umrah pilgrims were being assisted following the return of more than 10,000 pilgrims who had completed their scheduled journeys.

24-Hour Helpline Numbers for Indian Pilgrims

Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia who require assistance can contact the following 24-hour control rooms.

Embassy of India, Riyadh

• Telephone: +966-554412016
• Telephone: +966-542126784
• Toll-free number: 8002471234 (calls from within Saudi Arabia only)
• WhatsApp: +966-536216082 (messages only)

Consulate General of India, Jeddah

• Telephone: +966-12-2614093
• Telephone: +966-556122301
• WhatsApp: +966-536209704 (messages only)

The authorities have urged affected Indian nationals to use the official contact channels for assistance and updates regarding their return arrangements.

For families in Jammu and Kashmir awaiting the return of their relatives, the immediate priority remains ensuring that stranded pilgrims receive food, accommodation and necessary support until suitable travel arrangements are available.