After the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives including two Pune residents, a total of 657 tourists from Pune remain stranded across various parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Pune District Collector’s office has been actively coordinating efforts to ensure the safe and swift return of these tourists, with 148 scheduled to arrive back in Pune by April 27, 2025.
The attack on April 22, 2025, at the scenic Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam sent shockwaves across the nation, severely impacting tourism in the region. In response, the Maharashtra government, in collaboration with the Pune district administration and Jammu & Kashmir authorities, has arranged multiple special flights to evacuate stranded tourists free of cost.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed that while 657 tourists are currently registered as stranded, the administration is in continuous contact with them and local authorities in Kashmir to monitor their safety. “We have verified 264 individuals so far, with some hospitalized but stable. The number is expected to rise as more tourists come forward,” Dudi said. Special helpline numbers have been set up to assist tourists and their families in Pune.
Two special flights operated by Air India and IndiGo are scheduled to bring back 183 tourists from Maharashtra on April 24, with the state government covering all costs. Additional flights are being planned to accommodate the remaining stranded tourists. The Pune administration is working closely with airlines, travel agencies, and Jammu & Kashmir officials to streamline the evacuation process.
Tourists stranded in Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and other popular destinations have reported soaring airfares and inflated hotel rates, complicating their efforts to return. The government’s intervention through special flights aims to alleviate these challenges and provide safe passage home. Union Minister and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol has assured full support to the stranded tourists, emphasizing that the priority is their safety and comfort. Local travel associations and tour operators in Pune have halted new departures to Kashmir and are focusing entirely on facilitating returns.
The administration’s swift response follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condemnation of the attack and his promise to “identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers.” Security forces have intensified operations in Jammu and Kashmir, while diplomatic tensions with Pakistan have escalated. Families of victims from Pune, including those of Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale who lost their lives in the attack, have been supported by the district administration, which has arranged for the dignified return and last rites of the deceased.
