Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Apr 17: The tragic incident that occurred in the Gandabal area on Tuesday has sent shockwaves throughout the entire Kashmir valley. The bodies of the three missing individuals, who drowned in the Jehlum when the boat they were traveling in capsized, are yet to be retrieved.
As a result of the incident, experts from south Kashmir’s Kakapora area of Pulwama have joined the effort to retrieve the bodies of the missing persons, including a father-son duo and another minor boy.
According to details available, the rescue operation is ongoing in the area, with teams from SDRF, NDRF, Indian Army’s MARCO’S, Fire and Emergency Services, and other rescue teams conducting the operation.
While the rescue operation was underway, Abdul Salam, a 64-year-old expert swimmer from Kakapora area of Pulwama, joined the efforts. “Salam has retrieved many human bodies from the river Jhelum at different spots. He is an expert in rescue operations and brings hope for the retrieval of the body,” said a local present at Gandabal.
“This is a tragedy for all of us, as I have not witnessed such a devastating incident before. The incident I remember is the one at Wular river in 2006, where 22 people – 21 of whom were children – died after a boat carrying them capsized in the lake,” said Abdul Salam.
“Until now, I have saved 16 people and retrieved about 46 bodies from the water near different localities. As per my assumption, the body might have reached ‘Chattabal Veer.’ I will do my best, and I will scan the shores close to Gandbal, as there is a chance the body settled down near Gandabal,” said Salam.
“He has no tools, but it is just ‘Almighty’s blessings’ on him, as he starts with the name of Allah, and He helps me. We are hopeful that Salam might retrieve the body, or anyone else from the rescue teams may retrieve the body,” said a local from the area.
