Over 500 Pune tourists stranded in Kashmir; special flights being arranged

Pune: More than 500 holiday‑makers from Pune remain stuck in Jammu & Kashmir after Tuesday’s militant assault in Pahalgam, prompting the district administration to organise special flights for anyone eager to head home.

Girish Naikwadi, travelling with 13 relatives, told PTI from Srinagar that his group has cancelled the rest of its itinerary. “We were in Gulmarg when the shooting happened. With small children along, none of us feels safe continuing,” he said, adding they have hotel rooms only until tonight.

Harshal Pandit, who runs a de‑addiction centre in Pune, also cut his trip short: “We were set to visit Pahalgam today but scrapped the plan. We’ll fly back Thursday.”

Others are waiting it out. Retiree Yashwant Ranaware said his family turned back after their driver, nearing Baisaran Valley, sensed trouble from oncoming vehicles. “Security is heavy; we’ll decide whether to stay depending on how things evolve.”

Local NGO Sarhad has deployed volunteers to arrange lodging and transport for marooned visitors. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol announced that 182 tourists will be flown to Maharashtra on Thursday aboard special flights.