LG, CM express grief
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 8: At least three young men drowned in River Jhelum in Bandipora district today after slipping into the water while washing tent equipment near the Check Chandergeer area of Hajin town.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
The deceased were identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, 18, son of Bashir Ahmad Dar; Sameer Ahmad Dar, 22, son of Mohammad Jamal Dar; and Sohail Ahmad Dar, 22, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar, all residents of Chandergeer Hajin.
Officials said the trio had gone to the riverbank to clean tent material and other equipment when they accidentally slipped into the river and drowned.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
A rescue operation was launched immediately after the incident by Bandipora Police, Army’s 13 Rashtriya Rifles, and teams from the State Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence Rescue Force, along with local volunteers. “Senior Superintendent of Police Bandipora, Army officials and SDRF personnel supervised the rescue efforts at the site,” officials said.
Two bodies were recovered during the initial operation, while the third was retrieved later after extensive searches in the river.
Scenes of grief unfolded in Hajin as large numbers of residents gathered near the riverbank and outside the homes of the deceased. Family members and relatives mourned as the bodies were brought out of the water.
Eyewitnesses said residents waited anxiously for updates throughout the rescue operation, with several people breaking down in tears as the bodies were recovered.
The bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to the families for last rites.
The incident triggered widespread grief across the area, with people from different walks of life expressing condolences to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed grief over the tragic loss of young lives in the unfortunate drowning incident in Hajin area.
In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said: “I am deeply pained by the loss of precious young lives in an unfortunate drowning incident in Bandipora. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family members. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved in this difficult hour.”
The Chief Minister also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for strength and forbearance to the grieving families during this difficult hour.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
