Srinagar, April 15 -- Jammu and Kashmir leaders, including chief minister Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, have urged the Union government and external affairs ministry to intervene and engage with Saudi Arabia over reports of cancellation of Hajj slots for India this year.

The CM said pointed to a recent news report that the fate of around 52,000 Indian Hajj pilgrims was uncertain after Saudi Arabia cancelled zones in Mina that were previously allocated to private tour operators.

Last week, Saudi Arabia announced a temporary halt on new short-term visas to citizens of 14 countries, including India, which is believed to have affected private tour operators and upended plans of pilgrims intending...