Haj pilgrims were urged to keep valuables close to them

The Telangana State Haj Committee has urged pilgrims who are due to return from Saudi Arabia not to pack valuables in their check-in luggage.

TGSHC chairman Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani on Thursday said in response to media and social media reports that pilgrims from Telangana are expected to arrive from June 11. “There have been reports of pilgrims’ luggage being opened from other parts of the country (without the pilgrims’ knowledge) and items disappearing. I urge you to keep your valuables safe.

Mr. Biyabani asked the pilgrims not to bring zamzam water or carry it with them. He said zamzam water would be given to the pilgrims on their arrival at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport once they returned.

TGSHC officials, Central Industrial Security Force officers and GMR Hyderabad International Airport officials came together for an inspection and tour of the RGIA terminal to prepare for the arrival of the haj pilgrims. The embarkation point at Hyderabad saw pilgrims not only from Telangana but also from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and several other states.

According to TGHC officials, as many as 6,646 pilgrims from Telangana, 1,200 from Andhra Pradesh, 1,082 pilgrims from Karnataka and 560 pilgrims from Maharashtra passed through the Hyderabad boarding point.

Published – 04 Jun 2026 20:40 IST