Bandipora, Sep 11: A massive search operation entered its sixth consecutive day on Thursday at Nicheer Baniyari in Hajin area of Bandipora district, where a youth drowned in the Jhelum River on September 6.
The missing youth has been identified as Amir Ahmad Dar, son of Gulzar Ahmad Dar, a resident of Baniyari Hajin. Since the incident, teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) along with hundreds of local volunteers have been scouring the river in an attempt to recover his body.
An SDRF official told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the operation has reached a critical stage as teams are working round the clock despite facing severe challenges. “We have been continuously working for the last six days to retrieve the body. The high water level and strong currents are making the operation extremely difficult. Yesterday, MARCOS and Navy divers also joined the search and checked several points, but the body has not yet been recovered. Despite these hurdles, our efforts are ongoing, and we are hopeful of success,” the official said.
Locals of Hajin and adjoining villages have also joined the search, extending full cooperation to the rescue teams. Special prayers were offered by locals seeking the recovery of the youth’s body.
Authorities assured that the operation will continue until Amir Ahmad Dar is traced. [KNT]
