Srinagar, June 29: With the beginning of the annual Amarnath Yatra, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the pilgrims embarking on the holy pilgrimage this year.
Notably, the first batch of 4,603 pilgrims began their journey from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan on Saturday. The 52-day pilgrimage will culminate on August 19.
In his message, Altaf Bukhari said, “I extend my heartfelt greetings on the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra. My best wishes to all the devotees who will be performing the pilgrimage this year.”
According to a press release issued here, he added, “In Jammu and Kashmir, this Hindu pilgrimage has always symbolised the pluralistic ethos of the people, with Muslims playing a vital role in facilitating the safe, smooth, and hassle-free conduct of the Amarnath Yatra. This pilgrimage has become a symbol of the strong composite and inclusive culture in J&K.”
“May this holy pilgrimage bring sustained peace and prosperity to the region,” he prayed.
Meanwhile, the Apni Party President expressed grief and sorrow over the death of five Indian Army soldiers, including one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and four jawans, who died after the tank they were operating met with an accident in the Daulat Beg Oldie area in Ladakh last evening.
In his message, Bukhari said, “My deepest sympathies are with the families of the five Army jawans who lost their lives in an accident during a river crossing exercise in Ladakh. May the departed souls find eternal peace and may the bereaved have the strength to endure the pain of this irreparable loss.”
Meanwhile, Altaf Bukhari on Saturday paid visits to some of his party colleagues in the Rawalpora area of the Chanapora constituency.
Bukhari first visited Mohammad Ashraf Dar, a colleague from the Chanapora constituency, to offer condolences on the passing of his paternal uncle, Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, who recently passed away at his residence in Rawalpora. He met with the bereaved family and conveyed heartfelt sympathy for their loss.
Later, he made a courtesy call to his senior party colleague Nazir Ahmad Dar at his residence in Rawalpora, Srinagar, where he inquired about Dar’s health and well-being.
Also, the party president visited the party’s youth leader Shoaib Dar, whose brother’s shop was damaged in a recent fire incident. On this occasion, Altaf Bukhari expressed sympathy for the fire victim.
During this comprehensive tour, the Apni Party President was accompanied by several senior party workers.
