Srinagar, April 18 -- The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Kashmir departed for Saudi Arabia on Saturday, as authorities operated three flights carrying 431 pilgrims from the Haj House at Bemina here.

A senior Haj official told that the batch comprised 230 men and 201 women. The first flight carried 79 men and 66 women, the second 78 men and 65 women, and the third 73 men and 70 women.

According to a KNS correspondent, emotional scenes were witnessed at the departure point as family members gathered to see off their relatives. Several elderly pilgrims recited verses from the Quran while waiting to board buses to the airport.

The Executive Officer of the Haj Committee, Dr. Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, said arrangements for transportation, bag...