Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 31

An 18-year-old youth drowned after being swept away by strong currents in a rivulet in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Sunday, while his father sustained injuries after jumping into the water in an attempt to save him, officials said.

The incident occurred near Mughal Basti close to Chuntimulla village in the upper reaches of Bandipora.

The deceased was identified as Ubaid Shabir Wani, a resident of Nadhihal.

According to local residents, Ubaid had entered the Kudhara rivulet for a bath during a recreational visit to the area when he was swept away by the strong current.

On seeing his son being carried away, his father, Shabir, jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue him but was also swept away.

Locals present in the area rushed to help and launched a rescue effort. Shabir was pulled out alive with serious injuries, while Ubaid was later retrieved from the water unconscious.

Both were shifted to District Hospital Bandipora with the assistance of police personnel, paramedics and local residents.

“Ubaid was brought a little later, and despite all our efforts, we were unable to revive him,” Dr Mohsin Qadir, the attending medical officer, told reporters.

He said the hospital received information about the incident at around 3:45 pm and Ubaid was declared brought dead on arrival.

According to the doctor, Shabir had been brought to the hospital around 10 minutes earlier in critical condition.

“We stabilised him and provided the necessary emergency medical care,” he said.

Doctors said Shabir suffered aspiration-related complications after inhaling water and was later referred to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences for specialised treatment.

The incident cast a pall of grief over Chuntimulla and adjoining villages, with residents mourning the teenager’s death.