Doda youth dies after jumping into River Tawi, body recovered in Chenani

Ramban, Jan 13: The body of a youth from Doda district who allegedly jumped into the River Tawi in the Chenani area of Udhampur district was recovered late Tuesday evening after a prolonged search operation involving police, SDRF, NDRF and army divers, officials said.

Official sources identified the deceased as Hanan Iqbal, son of Mohammad Iqbal and a resident of Doda district. He reportedly jumped from a bridge into the River Tawi.

Soon after receiving information about the incident, police and rescue teams rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. However, the operation was suspended late Monday night due to darkness and poor visibility.

The search resumed early Tuesday morning, involving police, SDRF, and NDRF teams, assisted by boats and local volunteers. The teams conducted an extensive search near the bridge and along the river stretch in the Chenani area. Despite sustained efforts throughout the day, the body could not be traced.

Later, army divers were called for help and, after prolonged efforts, successfully retrieved the body from the deep waters of the River Tawi near Chenani Bridge late Tuesday evening. The body was subsequently handed over to Chenani Police.

A police official stated that, despite continuous search operations until Tuesday afternoon, no breakthrough was achieved until the army divers joined the operation.

The body was shifted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) Chenani for post-mortem examination and completion of other legal formalities. Police have initiated further proceedings in the matter.

Sources said the deceased had been residing at his grandmother’s house in Chenani for the last few days.