Baramulla: A family outing turned tragic in Boniyar area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district after four individuals were swept away by strong currents in a canal on Sunday. On Monday, rescue teams recovered the body of 12-year-old Ahmad Bin Khalid, one of the two missing persons.
Ahmad, son of Khalid Mehraj Shah from Hyderpora, Srinagar, had gone missing after accidentally drowning in the Gantamulla power canal while bathing. His body was recovered by a joint rescue team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Baramulla and Civil Defence Uri after an extensive search operation.
The incident took place on Sunday, July 13, near the Lower Jhelum Hydroelectric Project canal, when four people reportedly slipped and fell into the water.
Rescue efforts began immediately, and one person, identified as Syed Mohammad Ilyas Geelani, 31, a resident of Towheedgunj, Baramulla, was pulled out in time and is currently stated to be in stable condition.
Later the same day, rescue teams recovered the body of another minor victim, 13-year-old Ibrahim Bin Showkat, son of Showkat Ali Shah from Narkara, Budgam.
As of Monday evening, rescue operations were still ongoing to trace the last missing individual, Mehnaz Rashid Shah, aged around 40, son of Abdul Rashid Shah, a resident of Khanyar, Srinagar.
Teams from the SDRF, Civil Defence, local police, and volunteers have been working tirelessly to locate the missing man, braving strong water currents and difficult terrain.
The heartbreaking incident has cast a pall of gloom over the families and the community, with many urging authorities to install safety measures along the canal to prevent such tragedies in the future.
