The rescue mission to locate the missing bodies of three persons in the Jhelum near Batwara-Gandabal continued for the fifth day without any breakthrough, officials said.
Despite ongoing efforts, including by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army's MARCOS and other teams, there have been no traces of the missing persons, Showkat Ahmad and his son Hazik Showkat, and another Farhan Parray.
The tragic incident occurred on April 16 when a boat capsized in the Jhelum River in the Gandbal area of Batwara, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and leaving three locals missing. The search operation has yielded only a few school bags so far, with no sign of the missing individuals.
ASI SDRF, Abdul Rashid said that the rescue teams have been on job for the last five days but there has been no success in finding the missing trio.
“We have been on our toes, searching for the missing trio, but unfortunately, nothing has been found yet," the ASI said, adding, “We have also been searching near Chattabal Veer as there are chances the bodies might float there, but till now, nothing has been found.”
During the initial stages of the rescue operation, four school bags were recovered near Chattabal Veer, with two additional bags retrieved later in the day by SDRF personnel. However, the missing bodies are yet to be traced.
Meanwhile, people, including religious clerics, have been visiting the bereaved families to offer condolences and pray for the safe recovery of the missing persons In 5 years, Srinagar Distt records over 450 kidnapping, rape cases.