Day 3: Search operation for drowned girl continues in Kupwara

Srinagar, July 10: A search operation spanning three days is still ongoing in the Jagerpora area of Kupwara district, as authorities tirelessly strive to locate the body of a 13-year-old girl who tragically drowned in the river Pohru.
The incident occurred while the young girl was playing on the riverbank, and her disappearance has left the local community deeply saddened.
The Handwara Police, in collaboration with various teams including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army’s elite MARCOS unit, have been conducting extensive search efforts. The operation, which commenced on Monday, saw the police team, led by SDPO Handwara Sleet Shah and SHO Handwara Shabir Ahmad, scour the area from Jeggerpora to Chogal.
Despite their relentless efforts, the search party, supported by the proactive involvement of local community members, has been unable to locate the body of the girl, identified as Runak Jan from Sulkoot Kupwara. Beginning at 10:00 AM, the police team meticulously combed every bush along the stretch from Vodhpora Bridge to Chogal in a determined attempt to bring closure to this heart-wrenching incident.
The tragic event unfolded when one of the girls accidentally dropped her slippers into the river while walking on a bridge. In a courageous but ill-fated endeavor to retrieve them, all three children were swept away by the powerful current. Promptly responding to the distress call, both locals and the police swiftly initiated a joint operation, successfully rescuing a boy and a girl, identified as Zehran Javid (11) and Sadiya Fayaz (9), respectively.
However, the search for Ronak Jan (13), daughter of Abdul Jabbar Payer and resident of Sulkote Kupwara, persists, as she continues to elude rescuers. Authorities remain undeterred and are sparing no effort in their mission to locate the missing girl, relying on the expertise and resources of multiple search and rescue teams.
Authorities said, he search operation will continue until every possible avenue is explored, leaving no stone unturned to bring solace to the grieving family and the community at large.