BANDIPORA: Three young men drowned in the River Jhelum after allegedly slipping into the water while washing tenting material along its banks in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday, officials said.
The incident occurred in the Check Chandergeer area of Hajin, where the youths had gone to clean tenting material near the river.
Officials said all three youths slipped into the river and were swept away by the strong current, triggering panic in the area.
Soon after the incident, local residents and volunteers launched rescue operations and managed to retrieve two bodies during the initial search, while the third body was recovered later after extensive efforts.
The deceased were identified as Aadil 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.
The bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities, officials said.
The tragic incident cast a pall of gloom across Hajin, with hundreds of mourners participating in the funeral prayers of the three youths. Residents described the atmosphere in the area as sombre, with people thronging the homes of the victims to express solidarity with the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the incident.
In his condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said he was deeply pained by the tragic loss of young lives in the drowning incident and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conveyed heartfelt condolences and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength for the grieving families to bear the irreparable loss.
MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone termed the incident deeply heartbreaking and expressed sympathy with the affected families.
MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat also expressed grief over the deaths of the three youths and extended condolences to their families.
Kangan admin issues advisory amid rising water levels
The office of the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kangan on Friday issued a public advisory warning residents against venturing near open water bodies amid rising water levels and increasing concerns over drowning incidents in the region.
The advisory cautioned people, particularly youth and children, against visiting vulnerable locations including Nallah Sindh, Wangath Nallah, PDC Canal and Barwalla Waterfall, where officials said the absence of adequate safety infrastructure and rescue facilities makes the areas highly dangerous.
According to the administration, several vulnerable spots in Kangan Sub Division witness heavy public movement during the summer season despite posing serious risks due to strong water currents and slippery terrain.
Authorities advised the public not to enter, bathe, play or move close to open water bodies under any circumstances.
Parents and guardians were specifically urged to maintain strict supervision over children and prevent them from approaching rivers, canals, waterfalls and other unsafe locations.
The advisory comes amid growing concern over drowning incidents and river-related accidents reported from different parts of Kashmir in recent days.
Officials said departments including Flood Control, Police and the local administration have been directed to maintain strict vigilance at vulnerable sites across Kangan Sub Division to prevent any untoward incident.
The administration also appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities and strictly follow safety guidelines in view of rising water levels and associated risks.
