Bodies reach Gujarat

The bodies of all seven Amarnath pilgrims killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir arrived in Gujrat yesterday, and the government announced Rs1 million (Dh56,912) compensation to the kin of each of the victims

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who received the bodies at the city airport, was full of praise for Salim Shaikh, the driver of the private bus who kept driving for at least two kilometres to the nearest Army camp even after coming under attack on Monday.

“We will recommend a bravery award for Salim who drove the bus two-to-three kilometres and saved the lives of the other 50 persons,” the chief minister said.

Rupani received the bodies, 19 injured pilgrims and 32 others who were flown in from Srinagar.

“The family members of the killed pilgrims will be provided Rs10 lakh [Rs1 million] compensation by the Gujarat government while the injured will be given Rs2 lakh [Rs200,000],” Rupani said.

Accompanied by deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Jitu Vaghani, the chief minister met every injured person and expressed his sympathies.

Rupani also spoke to the Jammu and Kashmir government to ensure that proper care was provided to the injured hospitalised in Kashmir.

The 40-day Amarnath pilgrimage began on June 29 and will end on August 7. So far, nearly 140,000 pilgrims have reached the shrine in the cave.