GANDBAL BOAT CAPSIZE | ‘Intensify search operation to retrieve bodies of missing persons’

Srinagar, Apr 25:  Residents of the Gandbal area have urged authorities to intensify search operation of retrieve bodies of three missing persons.

The ill-fated incident took place 10 days ago when a boat carrying several passengers capsized in river Jhelum at Gandbal. According to witnesses, the boat was overcrowded and lost balance, leading to the tragic accident.

Despite continuous efforts of the local administration, police and rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), no significant breakthrough has been made in locating the missing individuals. The challenging weather conditions and strong currents in the river have further complicated the search operation.

As the search operation enters 10th day on Thursday, hopes for a positive outcome are diminishing, but the relentless efforts of the rescue teams and the support of the local community continue to drive the search for the missing individuals involved in the boat capsize.

Superintendent of Police, East Srinagar, Mubashir Bukhari,  told Greater Kashmir that the search operation is continuing relentlessly. He said that the content of slit in river Jhelum has significantly increased due to consecutive days of heavy rainfall, which has posed challenges in the search efforts.

"We will continue the search operation," SP Bukhari affirmed. He expressed concerns that the missing individuals might have been trapped under the increased slit content in the river. Emphasising the commitment of the authorities, he said: "We will be putting all efforts and demands of locals to intensify the search operation will be met with."

The incident has garnered attention and demands from the residents for an intensified search operation to locate the missing individuals. SP said that several teams are currently engaged in intensified searches in the river, and they are planning to further intensify the operation. The demand for a more thorough search has been echoed by the affected families and local residents.