In Pics: Tourists, Pilgrims Flee Kashmir After Security Advisory

Srinagar airport witnessed a huge rush on Saturday, 3 August, following the J&K government’s security advisory.

Amarnath Yatris and tourists started leaving Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday, 3 August, following a security advisory.

(Photo: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Following a security advisory issued by the J&K Government, Amarnath Yatris and tourists started leaving the state en masse on Saturday, 3 August.

Students seen evacuating NIT Srinagar following the government’s security advisory.

Students seen evacuating NIT Srinagar following the government’s security advisory.

Authorities suspended the annual pilgrimage citing inclement weather conditions. The governor administration issued a security advisory asking the visiting tourists and pilgrims to curtail their stay in Kashmir.

Community kitchens being vacated in Pahalgam.

Roads looked deserted through the day on Saturday in Pahalgam after the government asked tourists and yatris to curtail their stay.

People were seen queuing up at auto stands in Pahalgam.

The 46-day long Amarnath Yatra started on 29 June from Jammu and was scheduled to conclude on 15 August.

On Saturday, hundreds of tourists and pilgrims were seen leaving Kashmir. Srinagar airport, on Saturday morning, witnessed a huge rush and many vehicles were seen carrying pilgrims from Srinagar to Jammu.

Meanwhile, aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) on Friday asked airlines to be ready to operate additional flights from Srinagar if the need arises.

Heavy rush was seen at the Srinagar airport on Saturday.

Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo and Vistara announced that, given the turmoil, they were temporarily waiving off cancellation and rescheduling charges for flights to and from Jammu and Kashmir.

People seen loading their luggage at a bus stand in Pahalgam, following the security advisory.

Many tourists are leaving via personal vehicles, public buses and hired taxis.

A woman waits for her bus to depart as she prepares to leave J&K following a security advisory.