Srinagar, Apr 24: Rescue teams on Friday continued an extensive search operation in river Jhelum to trace an 18-year-old youth who had jumped into the water from Budshah Bridge in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area late Wednesday night, officials said.
They said that in another incident, another man was rescued after a fresh jump attempt at the same spot within 24 hours.
Officials said that the search for missing youth was continued for the third straight day in Jhelum.
They said teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) carried out searches throughout the day at multiple locations along the river stretch, but the youth could not be traced.
An SDRF official said the operation was suspended in the evening due to low visibility and will resume on Saturday morning with the first light of day.
The missing person was later identified as Mohd Qurash Sadaqi (18), son of Nawab Sadaqi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, presently staying at Chattabal, Srinagar.
The incident had occurred late Wednesday when the youth allegedly climbed the railing of Budshah Bridge and jumped into the river, prompting an immediate rescue response. CCTV footage of the incident later surfaced on social media.
Meanwhile, in another incident on Thursday, a major tragedy was averted after SDRF personnel rescued a 27-year-old man who had jumped into the Jhelum from the same bridge.
Officials said the rescue teams were already deployed at Budshah Bridge for the ongoing search operation when they noticed the man jumping into the river and swiftly pulled him out alive. He was later handed over to the police for further legal formalities.
It was the second such incident reported from Budshah Bridge within 24 hours, raising concern and prompting calls for stronger safety measures and surveillance around the area.
Police have taken cognisance of both incidents, saying the investigation is underway—(KNO)
