Shopian, Apr 28 (KNO): A four-year-old boy from Pulwama district is feared to have drowned after accidentally slipping into a fast-flowing stream near Dubjan Bridge in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday. A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched, which has now entered its third consecutive day.
The minor, identified as Mohammad Hanzala, a resident of Tiken in Pulwama, fell into the nallah amid strong currents, leaving the locals in shock and grief.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the child was swept away instantly, prompting an urgent response from multiple agencies.
Rescue teams comprising the Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been conducting extensive searches along the stream and adjoining areas since the incident occurred. Despite relentless efforts, no trace of the child has been found so far.
An official of SDRF said its personnel are carrying out thorough searches in the river, navigating difficult terrain and strong water currents in an attempt to retrieve the body. Specialised equipment and manpower have been deployed to scan deeper sections of the nallah, he said.
Senior officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Shopian and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shopian, visited the site at Dubjan to assess the situation and review the progress of the ongoing operation. Several MLAs from Shopian and Pulwama districts also reached the area, expressing concern and urging teams to expedite the search.
To strengthen the operation, well-known civilian body retrievers, including experts such as Hamza from Doda—renowned for assisting in difficult water recovery cases—were also roped in. However, despite their involvement and continued efforts, the minor’s body remains untraced.
Local residents have also joined the search efforts, combing nearby areas and riverbanks, while authorities have appealed for patience and cooperation as teams continue to work under challenging conditions.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the region, with people praying for the recovery of the child. Meanwhile, the search operation is expected to continue until the boy is located—(KNO)