The wheels of an Air India caught fire as it was landing at the Srinagar [Images] airport on Monday afternoon. The flight was the second special chartered flight that was to carry 214 Haj pilgrims.

Airport sources said barring the crew, no passenger was on board.

Fire tenders immediately swung into action to douse the flames. The aircraft had to be parked away from the main runway for repairs. The aircraft will be inspected to determine the cause of the fire.

Engineers have been rushed in a special flight, which is expected to land at the airport on Monday afternoon to repair the damage and make it airworthy.

The departure of the pilgrims has been delayed. The Jeddah-bound pilgrims are waiting at the airport.

On Sunday too, the Haj flight was delayed by nine hours as the plane arrived late in the afternoon.

This year, 8130 Kashmiri pilgrims will perform the holy Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

According to authorities, the daily Haj flights will operate for one month.