MUMBAI, June 29, 2013: The body of NDRF jawan Shashikant Pawar would reach Aurangabad by a special air force aircraft, said director of the state disaster management authority Idzes Kundan. The soldier will be given a state funeral with police honours.

"As per figures compiled at 6 pm on Friday, of the 3,029 pilgrims from Maharashtra that had gone to Uttarakhand, 1,907 have returned home safely," she said. "Another 690 are headed home. While 217 others have been contacted, 213 are missing. Around 100 are stranded, mainly in Badrinath."

Kundan said that 558 pilgrims had taken shelter at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi and would get railway or air tickets. The state has disbursed Rs 2,000 each to 1,930 pilgrims.

Source: The Times of  India, DT. June 29, 2013.