Baramulla, Oct 28: Two persons died after falling from a boat into the Jhelum River while extracting sand in Dachanpara area of Rafiabad in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the duo was extracting sand when they fell into the river. He said their bodies remained in the water overnight and were recovered in the morning.
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The deceased have been identified as Javid Ahmed Mir (28) and Mohammad Anees Malik (29), both residents of Dachanpara.
The incident has brought attention to the risks associated with sand extraction activities carried out in river areas, particularly during nighttime hours. Working near deep water can pose serious dangers, especially when visibility is limited and workers are required to operate from boats.
River-based sand extraction involves working in and around flowing water, where unexpected falls can quickly turn into emergencies. Such incidents also highlight the importance of safety precautions for people engaged in activities along riverbanks and within river channels.
The Jhelum River passes through several areas of Kashmir and remains an important part of the region’s landscape and daily life. Activities carried out along its banks, including sand extraction, require appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
The recovery of the two bodies in the morning, after they had remained in the water overnight, underscores the circumstances surrounding the incident. The deaths of the two young men have also brought grief to their families and the local community in Dachanpara.
Meanwhile, cognisance of the incident has been taken and a probe has been initiated.—(KNO)
