3 youth drown in Jhelum while washing tents in Hajin

Srinagar, May 8:In a tragic incident in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, three youth slipped into the River Jhelum while washing tents along the riverbank on Friday.

The incident left the entire locality in deep mourning.

According to eyewitnesses, one of the youth lost his balance and fell into the river while the other two who made an attempt to save him, were also swept away by the strong currents.

Amid this, locals, volunteers, and rescue teams rushed to the spot and launched a massive rescue operation to retrieve the drowned youth.

Three bodies were retrieved from the river after hectic efforts.

An official identified the deceased as Sohail Ahmad Dar, 22, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar, Aadil Ahmad Dar, 18, son of Bashir Ahmad Dar, and Sameer Ahmad Dar, son of MUhammad Jamal Dar, all residents of Chandargeer Hajin.

According to eyewitnesses, local volunteers, State Disaster Response Force personnel, and J&K Police carried out the rescue operation in the area.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of young lives in the incident.

In a condolence message, LG Sinha 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.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while expressing his condolences over the demise described the incident as “deeply unfortunate.”

He offered his “heartfelt sympathies” to the bereaved families and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls.

“The CM is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of young lives in Hajin. He stands with the grieving families in this hour of immense sorrow,” an official statement reads.

MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat also expressed sorrow over the drowning of three youth.

In a statement issued here, MLA Bandipora termed the incident “extremely painful and tragic”.

“The loss of three young lives has deeply saddened everyone. I share the grief of the bereaved families,” he said.

The MLA prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength for the families to bear the irreparable loss.

He expressed solidarity with the people of Hajin and said he stood with them in this hour of grief.