Srinagar, June 10 -- Srinagar:As the annual Hajj pilgrimage 2025 concludes, the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir is all set to returnon June 17, officials said.

Executive Officer J&K Haj Committee, Dr Shujhat Qureshi said the initial flight will bring back 178 pilgrims, marking the beginning of the return phase for the 3,606 pilgrims from the region who performed the pilgrimage this year.

"Everything has gone smoothly, and we did not witness any major incidents due to the heatwave or other causes, unlike last year," he said.

Dr Qureshi, however, confirmed that a Kashmir-based female pilgrim, who was already unwell, passed away during the pilgrimage. "She was taken to Arafat in Ambulance to complete Waqoof-e-Arafat (Main f...