Ganderbal, May 24: A massive search operation entered its second day on Friday at Paribal Shalabugh area of Ganderbal district, where a forest guard tragically drowned in the fast-flowing waters of River Sindh during a routine inspection.
The missing forest guard has been identified as Shameem Ahmad Mir, 45, a resident of Batwina. He reportedly slipped and fell into the river while on duty at Compartment No. 01, Paribal, on Friday.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ganderbal said, “During a routine inspection, one of our employees accidentally slipped and fell into the Nallah, resulting in his drowning. Teams from the SDRF, Forest Department, local police, and community members are on the scene and actively engaged in the rescue operation.”
Despite continuous efforts by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, forest officials, and local volunteers, the body of the deceased had not been recovered till late Friday. The search has now been intensified with additional support, including the deployment of Marine Commandos (MARCOS), as confirmed by the DFO to reporters at the site.
Meanwhile, public outrage erupted during the visit of the Chief Conservator of Forests to the area. Locals expressed their anger over the perceived lack of timely response and inadequate safety measures for field staff. They demanded accountability and better protection protocols for forest personnel working in treacherous terrains.
