Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pune Officials Spring Into Action to Rescue 200+ Tourists; 2 From Karvenagar Killed
Pune district administration has informed that over 200 tourists from Pune city and district are in Jammu and Kashmir and have established contact with the district administration.
Terrorists struck at Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, and injuring several others.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi has informed that efforts are underway to trace the tourists, and planning is being done for this.
In Jammu and Kashmir, some tourists from Pune and the district have traveled independently for tourism, while others have gone through tourism planning companies. To get their information, a helpline was started by the district administration.
Meanwhile, out of the total tourists from Pune, two tourists have died and two female tourists are injured, according to the district administration.
All the other tourists are in good condition, and the disaster management department of the district administration has started efforts to contact them. This information was given by Vitthal Banote, head of the disaster management department, who said that special plans are being made to bring them back safely.
Helpline numbers: 020-26123371, 9370960061, 8975232955, 8888565317.
Meanwhile, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said the administration is coordinating with the families of the slain tourists, Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale, for their funeral.
"We are coordinating with the families to facilitate the last rites," Dudi said.
A total of 264 tourists from Pune city and nearby areas had traveled to Jammu and Kashmir in recent days, and many of them are currently stranded at various locations across the Union Territory, he informed.
"Some of the tourists (from Pune) injured in the attack are undergoing treatment in hospitals (in J&K). We are in touch with them and extending all necessary support," Dudi said, adding that efforts are underway to bring back the stranded tourists by special flights.
"We are in talks with Pune Lok Sabha MP and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol to arrange special flights for their return," the collector added.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol has informed that two special flights have been arranged through Chief Minister Devendraji Fadnavis to bring back tourists from Maharashtra stranded in Kashmir. On Thursday, both the flights will arrive from Srinagar to Mumbai. In this, 182 passengers will reach Mumbai on these flights of Air India and IndiGo, and the cost of the flights will be borne by the state government.
In Mumbai, Minister Ashish Shelar and Minister M. Lodha will be at Mumbai Airport for coordination, while Minister Madhuritai Misal has been entrusted with the responsibility at Pune Airport.
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