7920 pilgrims from JK to perform Haj

Srinagar, Nov 27: A total of 7920 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will perform the Haj-2008 as the last two flights with 400 Hajis left from Sheikh-ul-Alam airport here.

Three Hajis, including a woman, died at Makkah while another 40 were not allowed to leave from here for Jeddah because of adverse intelligence reports against them yesterday.

As many as 54 Hajis from different states, including two from this state, have died due to heart attack and road accidents in the holy cities of Makkah and Madina since the commencement of the pilgrimage from October 30.

The first return Haj flight from Jeddah after celebrating the Eid-ul-Zuha will arrive here from December 13. The arrival of pilgrims will continue till January 9, 2009.

They said 40 special Haj flights carrying 7920 pilgrims operated from here to Jeddah.

Reports received here said Assadullah Bhat, son of Wali Mohammad Bhat died in a road accident while Saba Begum, wife of Ghulam Mohammad Khuro died of heart attack on November 23 at Makkah.

Earlier another Haji Mohammad Rajab Zaki died due to heart attack on November 12.

Meanwhile, 40 hajj pilgrims, who were selected during draw of lots, were not allowed to proceed to holy pilgrimage by the authorities after their names were not cleared by the intelligence agencies.

A number of pilgrims have challenged the state governments order in the High Court, pleading that they should be allowed to perform the Haj.

UNI