Three youths drown in Jhelum in Hajin while washing tents

Shafat Malik
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09 May 2026

Bodies recovered after rescue operation; LG, CM express grief

Srinagar, May 08: Three youths drowned in the Jhelum river in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday after one of them slipped into the water while washing tents, and the other two jumped in to rescue him.

According to officials, the incident took place along the riverbank in the Chandargeer area of Hajin, where the youths had gone to wash tents.

Residents said one of the youths lost balance and fell into the river. As he was swept away by the current, the other two entered the water in an attempt to rescue him, but they too were caught in the current and disappeared.

Soon after the incident, residents, volunteers, police personnel and teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a rescue operation in the area.

After several hours of searching, the bodies of all three youths were recovered from the river, officials said.

The deceased were identified as Sohail Ahmad Dar, 22, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar; Aadil Ahmad Dar, 18, son of Bashir Ahmad Dar; and Sameer Ahmad Dar, son of Mohammad Jamal Dar, all residents of Chandargeer Hajin.

Officials said police and SDRF teams, assisted by local volunteers, carried out the operation along the river stretch.

The incident triggered mourning in the area, with residents gathering at the victims’ homes as news of the deaths spread through the locality.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the tragic drowning incident.

LG Sinha in a condolence message, said, "I am deeply pained by the loss of precious young lives in an unfortunate drowning incident in Bandipora. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family members. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved in this difficult hour."

CM Abdullah conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He prayed for strength and forbearance for the grieving families during this difficult hour.