SRINAGAR: The bodies of the three individuals who went missing after their boat overturned in the Jhelum River at Gandabal in Srinagar are yet to be recovered.
In response to the incident, experts from the Kakapora area of Pulwama in South Kashmir have joined the search for the missing persons, including a father-son duo and another young boy.
Efforts to retrieve the bodies are currently underway in the area, with teams from SDRF, NDRF, the Indian Army’s MARCO’S, Fire and Emergency Services, and other rescue teams involved in the operation.
During the rescue efforts, Abdul Salaam, a 64-year-old skilled swimmer from Kakapora, joined the mission. “Salaam has successfully retrieved numerous bodies from the river Jhelum at various locations. He is highly experienced in rescue operations and brings optimism for recovering the body,” said a local resident of Gandabal.
“This is a tragic event for all of us, as I have never witnessed such a devastating incident previously. The incident that comes to mind is the one at Wular River in 2006, where 22 people – including 21 children – perished after their boat capsized in the lake,” reflected Abdul Salam.
“I have rescued 16 individuals and retrieved around 46 bodies from the waters near various areas. Based on my assessment, the body may have drifted to ‘Chattabal Veer.’ I will exert my utmost effort and search the shores near Gandabal, as there is a possibility the body may have settled nearby,” affirmed Salam. (KNO)
