Bandipora, May 08: A tragic incident unfolded in the Chandergeer area of Hajin in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday after three youths drowned in the River Jhelum while reportedly washing tent materials. Two bodies have been recovered, while one youth remains missing.
The youths have been identified as Sohail Ahmad Dar (22), son of Ghulam Nabi Dar; Adil Ahmad Dar (18), son of Bashir Ahmad Dar; and Sameer Ahmad Dar (22), son of Mohammad Jamal Dar, all residents of Chandergeer Hajin.
According to officials, the trio accidentally slipped into the river during the work, leading to panic among local residents.
Soon after the incident, locals and volunteers rushed to the spot and began rescue efforts to trace the missing youths. One body was initially recovered from the river and shifted to Community Health Centre Hajin for legal and medical procedures. Later, another body was retrieved, while rescue teams continued searching for the third youth till late evening.
Residents expressed anger over the alleged delay in the arrival of SDRF personnel, claiming that local youth carried out the initial rescue attempts on their own.
“Local boys entered the river immediately to search for them while official rescue teams reached late,” a local resident said.
The incident cast a pall of gloom over Chandergeer and nearby areas, with anxious relatives and residents gathering along the riverbank during the rescue operation.
Officials said police teams, rescue workers, and volunteers were continuing efforts to locate the missing youth. Further details are awaited.
