Jammu, March 31: Two boys drowned in the Tawi river in Jammu’s Nagrota area on Sunday evening, while a search operation is underway for a third missing boy.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the incident occurred near Nagrota Sainik School when three teenagers were reportedly swept away by a strong current. Authorities have confirmed the recovery of the bodies of two of the boys.
The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his grief over the tragic loss of young lives. He spoke with senior officials to take stock of the ongoing search and rescue operations. A spokesperson from Lok Bhawan stated, “The loss of young lives is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. We stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time.”
The three boys have been identified as Bavish Koul, aged 15, Sonam Dutt, aged 16, and Aditya Pandit, also 15. They were reportedly playing near the river when they were caught in the powerful flow of the Tawi river. The swift current proved too strong for them, leading to the unfortunate drowning incident.
Teams comprising personnel from the local police and other emergency agencies were immediately mobilized to conduct a search for the missing boys. Efforts have been ongoing since Sunday evening. As of Monday, the bodies of Bavish Koul and Aditya Pandit have been successfully retrieved by the rescue teams. The search for Sonam Dutt is continuing with intensified efforts by multiple agencies deployed to the area. The challenging terrain and the river’s current are reportedly hampering the search operations.
Local residents in the Nagrota area expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, highlighting the dangers posed by the Tawi river, especially during periods of increased water flow. An official statement from the Jammu district administration indicated that all possible resources are being deployed to expedite the search for the third boy. Families of the victims are being provided support and assistance by the local authorities during this distressing period.
The Chenab Times News Desk