A Kashmiri Muslim pilgrim hugs his relative as she leaves for the Hajj in Srinagar (PTI file photo)

SRINAGAR: The first batch of over 900 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir returned on Tuesday from the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia .

As many as 960 Hajis returned in five flights on the first day of Haj arrivals at the Srinagar airport, an official spokesman said.

He said Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmad Khan, IGP (Kashmir) S P Pani, IGP (Traffic) Basant Rath and Deputy Commissioner Budgam Syed Sehrish Asgar received the first 310 Hajis, who arrived in the first two flights that landed at 7 and 7.15 am.

Special arrangements for hassle-free immigration clearance were put in place at the airport, the spokesman said.

He said that besides the CRPF and state police personnel, volunteers from NGOs were also available to ensure a smooth arrival for the Hajis.

