A 13-year-old boy accidentally slipped into the Puhroo stream in the Wadoora area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Sunday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation by police, SDRF personnel and local volunteers.
The missing boy has been identified as Furqan Rafeeq Hajam, son of Rafeeq Ahmad Hajam, a resident of Hajam Mohalla, Wadoora Payeen, Sopore.
According to officials, the incident occurred when the boy accidentally fell into the river under circumstances that are being ascertained. Soon after receiving information, a team from Police Station Bomai rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation with the assistance of local residents.
Officials said personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) also joined the operation, deploying extensive search efforts along the river. Police, rescue teams and volunteers are conducting a coordinated search in an attempt to trace the missing boy.
Eyewitnesses said a large number of residents gathered at the riverbank soon after the incident and have been assisting the rescue teams in the ongoing operation.
Officials added that the rescue operation was continuing on a war footing till the filing of this report. No trace of the boy had been found so far, and search efforts are expected to continue until he is located.
Meanwhile, the administration has urged people, particularly children, to stay away from rivers, streams and other water bodies, especially during the monsoon season when water levels and currents can rise suddenly, making such areas extremely dangerous.
