Five of family, including infant, die of suffocation in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jan 05: In a heart-wrenching incident, a family of five tragically lost their lives due to alleged suffocation in the Pandrathan area of Srinagar on Sunday.
Officials confirmed that the deceased family hailed from Gingle, Uri, in the north Kashmir district of Baramulla. They had been living in a rented accommodation in Srinagar. The family members were found unconscious and were immediately rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
According to official sources, the head of the family, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, worked for a private firm. He, along with his wife, Saleema (32), and their three children—Areeb (3), Hamza (18 months), and a month-old infant boy—were residing in the area. The family had recently welcomed the birth of their child.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Officials stated that such tragic events often occur during the harsh winter months in Kashmir, mainly due to the improper use of heating devices.
The incident has shocked the Kashmir Valley, with authorities urging the public to ensure the safe use of heating appliances to avoid such tragedies. Meanwhile, police officials emphasized that the exact cause of the incident will only be determined after the investigation is completed.
The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed their grief over the loss of lives due to the tragic incident in Pandrethan area of Srinagar.
In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said: “Saddened by the loss of precious lives in a tragic incident in Srinagar. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief”.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic deaths of the five family members in Pandrathan. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving relatives, praying for strength and patience to help them cope with this irreparable loss.
While praying for the departed souls, the Chief Minister urged people to exercise the utmost caution when using heating gadgets during the harsh winter months. He stressed the importance of following government-issued advisories on the safe use of heating equipment to prevent such devastating incidents.