Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 8 

Three young men drowned in the Jhelum River in the Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday after they were swept away by strong currents while washing tents along the riverbank, officials and local residents said.

According to eyewitnesses, one of the youth lost balance and fell into the river, while two others entered the water in an attempt to rescue him but were also carried away by the current.

Local volunteers, rescue teams, personnel from the State Disaster Response Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a rescue operation in the area, officials said.

The bodies of the three youths were later retrieved from the river.

Officials 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 three were residents of Chandargeer Hajin in Bandipora district.

The incident triggered mourning in the locality.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

“I am deeply pained by the loss of precious young lives in an unfortunate drowning incident in Bandipora,” LG Sinha said in a condolence message.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

“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 said.

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat, also expressed sorrow over the incident and termed the deaths “extremely painful and tragic”.