Panic gripped Kashmir ever since a fresh order asking tourists and Amarnath Yatris to leave the Valley was issued. As the Kashmir terror increase, DGCA has advised airlines to be prepared to operate additional flights from Srinagar airport, if the need arose. Perhaps, the advisory came hours after the Indian Army discovered that Pakistan-based terrorists are planning to target the Amarnath Yatra.
Kashmir terror – Tourists rush to Srinagar Airport after ‘Leave Valley’ Advisory
Hundreds of tourists, Amarnath pilgrims and labourers from other parts of the country have been looking to leave the Kashmir Valley after the government issued the Leave Valley Advisory. All Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists were asked to immediately cut short their stay and return amidst Kashmir terror threats. The panic-stricken yatris and tourists were seen jostling and breaking queues outside the Srinagar airport to take the first flight home. Standing outside in large groups, the passengers eagerly awaited a word from the airport authorities to lift them from Kashmir. The link road at the arrival point of the airport was dotted with bags of tourists scrambling to get tickets after hearing about the government notification.
Airlines get ready to run extra flights
Given the turmoil, DGCA has asked airlines to remain ready. It has advised all carriers to be prepared to operate extra flights in emergency. Airlines such as Air India and Vistara announced that they were temporarily waiving off cancellation and rescheduling charges for flights to and from Jammu and Kashmir. Later, the situation at the Srinagar airport was checked by the DGCA and it was found to be normal. Budget carrier IndiGo announced a full fee waiver on rescheduling/cancellation for all flights to/from Srinagar till August 9.
In view of the current security situation in Srinagar and the Government advisory regarding it, we are providing a full fee waiver on rescheduling/cancellation for all flights to/from Srinagar till Aug 09, 2019. Reach out to us on Twitter, FB or chat at https://t.co/MLOVgXpFO0.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 2, 2019
UK, Germany, Australia issue travel advisory
The United Kingdom, Germany and Australia also issued a travel advisory to their citizens against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, a day after the state administration issued a security alert in the Valley. The UK travel advisory stated that if you’re in Jammu and Kashmir, you should remain vigilant, follow the advice of local authorities and keep up to date with developments, including via this travel advice
