Mumbai: In the wake of the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of six tourists from Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of each victim. The attack has been described as the worst in the region since the abrogation of Article 370.
Expressing his deep grief, CM Fadnavis said, “A total of 6 people from Maharashtra lost their lives in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam.”
🕜 1.42pm | 23-4-2025📍Mumbai
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 23, 2025
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The deceased were identified as residents of Mumbai and Pune: Sanjay Lele, Dilip Desale, Hemant Joshi, Atul Mone, Kaustubh Ganbote, and Santosh Jagdale.
The Maharashtra government has swiftly moved to ensure the dignified return of the victims’ mortal remains. As per official information, the mortal remains of Sanjay Lele and Dilip Desale are being flown to Mumbai via Air India flight departing Srinagar at 12:15 PM, followed by Hemant Joshi and Atul Mone on a flight departing at 1:15 PM. The Pune-based victims, Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale, will be flown to Pune on a flight leaving Srinagar at 6:00 PM.
Ministers have been tasked with overseeing arrangements at the respective airports. Adv. Ashish Shelar and Mangalprabhat Lodha will be stationed at Mumbai Airport, while Minister Madhuri Misal will be present at Pune Airport. Minister Girish Mahajan is heading to Srinagar to personally coordinate the situation on the ground and extend support to other stranded tourists from Maharashtra.
The state government, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is working round the clock to ensure the safe return of all remaining tourists and extend assistance to the bereaved families.
