Pulwama, July 18: The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Thursday recovered the body of a missing youth from the river Jhelum in the Barsoo area of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The deceased has been identified as Aabid Manzoor Dar, son of Manzoor Ahmad Dar, a resident of Barsoo village.
According to the police, Aabid had been missing since the morning of July 15, 2024. Following the retrieval, the body was handed over to the local police for further formalities, SDRF officials reported. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
“An investigation/enquiry under section 194 BNSS has been initiated, and all material facts are being considered during the investigation,” a police spokesperson said, adding that the police are also exploring the possibility that gambling may have played a role in the incident.
They have urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to avoid spreading unfounded rumours.
On July 15th, the police received a report from Aadil Manzoor, Aabid’s brother, about Aabid’s disappearance. A missing report was filed at the Awantipora police station, and an inquiry was launched to trace the missing person.
Technical analysis of Aabid’s call detail records led to the questioning of three individuals who had last contacted him. These individuals revealed that they had been gambling on the roadside when they were startled by the movement of a nearby police patrol and fled in fear.
One of the individuals disclosed that he had crossed to the other side of the river but was unaware of Aabid’s whereabouts.
The police questioned boatmen working on the Jhelum and other acquaintances of Aabid but found no leads. Consequently, the SDRF was called in, and they discovered the body near Barsoo. A post-mortem examination is being conducted by a board of doctors.”
Earlier in the day, some locals had assembled along NH at Barsoo, demanding an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, took to X and posted: “Strongly condemn JK Awantipora Police’s handedness. A young man from the area died under mysterious circumstances & his family has been rightfully demanding a probe. Instead of coming to their rescue @JmuKmrPolice has instead assaulted QNS journalist Irshad Hajam for reporting the truth. Urge IGP take action immediately.”
