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3d ago

First Evacuation Flights Bring Stranded Maharashtra Tourists Home After Pahalgam Attack

A coordinated rescue effort by the Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena is underway, with over 1,500 tourists still awaiting evacuation following the deadly terror attack.

**EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** Srinagar: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde meets tourists from the state, in Srinagar, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Shinde on Wednesday flew to Srinagar to expedite the process of bringing back state tourists stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI Photo)(PTI04_23_2025_000686A) (PTI)
Two special flights have been arranged to bring back stranded tourists from Kashmir. (Eknath Shinde | Official CX account)

Overview

  • The first batch of 65 stranded Maharashtra tourists arrived in Mumbai early Thursday, with two more government-arranged flights scheduled for later in the day.
  • The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 claimed 26 lives, including six tourists from Maharashtra, leaving over 1,500 state residents stranded in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced ex-gratia payments for victims' families and directed state-led evacuation efforts, including special flights and trains.
  • Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde personally traveled to Srinagar, leading a parallel Shiv Sena rescue operation and meeting stranded tourists in relief camps.
  • The incident has highlighted political tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, with both BJP and Shiv Sena independently vying for visibility in relief efforts.