Bandipora, Sep 12 (JKNS): The body of a 13-year-old boy who drowned in Madhumati Nallah in Bandipora district while trying to retrieve a cricket ball was recovered on Saturday after a three-day search operation, officials said.
Repoets reaching news agency JKNS stated that, the deceased has been identified as Momin Ahmad Ganaie, son of Aashiq Hussain Ganie, a resident of Ganaie Mohalla, Kaloosa, Bandipora.
According to officials, the boy slipped into the fast-flowing Madhumati Nallah near Kaloosa Bridge while attempting to retrieve a cricket ball on September 10. He was swept away by the strong current, following which a search and rescue operation was launched by teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The search operation continued for three consecutive days, with rescue teams from Bandipora and Srinagar scouring the nallah and adjoining areas to trace the missing boy.
On Friday, Bandipora Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib visited Kaloosa and reviewed the ongoing search and rescue operation. She also took stock of the arrangements being made by the rescue teams.
After sustained efforts, the body was finally located and retrieved from the area on Saturday, officials said.
Authorities have urged parents and children to exercise caution around rivers, nallahs and other water bodies, particularly during periods of strong currents. (JKNS)