Rescue operation continues for missing girl in Kupwara

Srinagar, July 09: The search and rescue operation to retrieve the body of 13-year-old Ronak Jabar of Sulkoot, who drowned in the Pohru river in Jaggerpora, Kupwara, entered its second day on Sunday, with no success thus far.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday when three minors were playing on the banks of the river. While two of them were successfully rescued, efforts are ongoing to locate the missing 13-year-old girl who was visiting relatives in the area.
To aid in the search efforts, MARCOS teams, also known as the Marine Commando Force, were deployed to the site after a request from Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan. However, despite their involvement, the team was unable to recover the body of the minor girl.
The MARCOS teams joined an already intensive search operation that involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and the army. The local community has also actively supported the rescue efforts for nearly 24 hours since the incident took place.
The tragedy unfolded when one of the girls dropped her slippers into the river while walking on a bridge. In an attempt to retrieve them, all three children ended up in the water. Promptly upon receiving the news, locals and the police launched a joint operation, resulting in the safe rescue of 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, continues as she remains elusive to the rescuers.
Tehsildar Handwara, Shahbaz Ahmad Akhoon, informed that nets have been set up in the river to aid in the search for the missing girl. The operation involves multiple agencies, including the SDRF, police, Fishers Department, Irrigation Department, civil administration, and local volunteers.