Thursday, April 7 2005 20:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Amid lilting music, a shower of flowers and outpour of emotions, the 30 passengers from Muzaffarabad were accorded a hero's welcome when they reached Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex (SKICC) in Srinagar tonight (Apr 7, 2005).

Twelve people, including six girls hailing from different areas of Jammu and Kashmir including Kargil, Leh, Dogri, Balti, Darti and Sheena received the passengers with flowers at the gate of the heavily-guarded SKICC.

The visiting passengers floated flowers on Dal Lake as a mark of respect to Holy Hazratbal shrine situated on its banks for their safe journey.

Relatives of the passengers, who had been waiting for them at the SKICC, received them amid emotional scenes.

Jammu and Kashmir Government officials led by Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Khurshid Ahmad Ganai garlanded the passengers.

A cultural programme of folk dance and songs was performed for the visitors as the original Kashmiri sound track of 'Bumbro Bumbro' whose Hindi version in the Bollywood movie 'Mission Kashmir' was a big hit played in the background.