Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 31

A 42-year-old man from Srinagar is feared to have drowned after being swept away by the Lidder River while attempting to rescue his young son who slipped into the water during a family outing in Pahalgam on Sunday, officials said.

The man, identified as Muhammad Ashraf Mir of Jawahar Nagar, had travelled with his family to Pahalgam when the incident occurred near the Langanbal area along the banks of the Lidder River.

According to officials, the family was taking photographs near the river when Mir’s son, Fahad, slipped into the water and was caught in the strong current.

Mir immediately jumped into the river in an attempt to save the child but lost his footing and was swept away by the fast-flowing stream, an official involved in the rescue operation said.

People present at the spot rushed to assist and managed to pull the child out of the water safely, officials said.

“The boy was rescued by locals and is safe. Unfortunately, Mir could not be retrieved and was carried away by the current,” an official said.

The incident triggered a large-scale search operation involving personnel from the State Disaster Response Force, rafting teams and local volunteers.

Searches were launched immediately after the incident was reported, with rescue teams scanning the river downstream, officials said.

The operation continued late into the day, though the missing man had not been traced by evening.

Officials said strong currents and difficult river conditions were hampering rescue efforts and that the search would continue until Mir is located.

Mir worked as an air-conditioner mechanic in the private sector and was the sole earning member of his family, relatives said.

News of the incident spread quickly in the area, drawing concern as rescue teams continued efforts along the riverbank.