Kulgam youth dies in Saudi Arabia, family urges Govt to airlift body

Srinagar: The family of a Kulgam youth, who died due to suspected cardiac arrest in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, has appealed government to bring back the body for last rites.
Mustakeen Ahmad Pandit, 26, son of Nazir Ahmad Pandit of Dessan Yaripora village in Kulgam district working as an engineer with Al Yamama Company in Riyadh for last two years, died of a cardiac arrest Monday, Showkat Ahmad his cousin said.
Showkat said Mustakeen last called his family on 26 March at around 10:30 pm. “Yesterday we came to know about this shocking news through his friend that he has died due to cardiac arrest,” he said.
The family appealed LG Manoj Sinha, Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate the return of the mortal remains so that they can perform his last rites and bury the deceased at the native graveyard.
After the family of the deceased requested LG Manoj Sinha and MEA to facilitate the transportation of the body, the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah requested the same to authorities.
Omar Abdullah tweeted and wrote: “Request the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with Saudi authorities and help expedite the return of the body of Mustakeen Ahmad Pandit, 26-year-old Kashmiri engineer from Kulgam who passed away in Saudi Arabia yesterday.”
The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia which took note of the post responded saying: “Consulate is in touch with attorney to assist in documentation process. An official from Consulate is reaching Al Wajh city to provide further assistance and to coordinate with concerned authorities to expedite repatriation of mortal remains. All possible help will be provided”