BARAMULLA: The body of a 14-year-old boy, who had gone missing after drowning in the Pohru River in Sopore three days ago, was recovered on Tuesday following an extensive search operation carried out by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and local volunteers.
The deceased has been identified as Furqan Rafiq Hajam, son of Rafiq Hajam, a resident of Wadoora, Sopore.
Officials said the teenager accidentally slipped into the Pohru River while bathing on August 2, prompting an extensive rescue operation. However, continuous efforts by rescue teams over the following days were hampered by the strong water current.
On the third day of the operation, teams from SDRF Component Baramulla and SDRF Sub-Component Sopore, assisted by police personnel and local volunteers, recovered the body near Nowpora under the jurisdiction of Fruit Mandi Sopore.
After completion of the required legal formalities, the body was handed over to the family for the last rites.
The incident has cast a shadow of grief over Wadoora village. Meanwhile, authorities have once again appealed to the public, particularly children and teenagers, to avoid bathing or venturing into rivers and other water bodies, especially during periods of strong currents. [KNT]
