Srinagar, Apr 17: For the second consecutive day on Wednesday, rescue teams searched for the bodies of the three persons missing after a boat capsized in the waters of River Jhelum on Tuesday leaving at least six persons dead.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi told Greater Kashmir that searches would continue until the bodies of the three persons are retrieved.
“The rescue operation that continued till in the night on Tuesday, resumed early Wednesday morning,” he said.
Birdi said that different teams were still searching to retrieve the bodies.
“Specialised divers meant for the job have their understanding of water and water currents. They are searching areas where there is a high probability of finding the bodies,” he said. “We have alerted all police stations along the River Jhelum to look out for the bodies.”
The search operation resumed Wednesday morning.
Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police are engaged in the operation.
Indian Navy’s marine commandos, MARCOS, have also been pressed into service.
“A joint combing operation resumed at 6 am after last night’s watch and ward. There are teams of SDRF, NDRF, and river police. We are trying to retrieve the bodies of the three missing persons. The operation will continue,” SDRF officials said.
They said that the operation had been extended up to 4 km from the spot where the boat capsized.
Senior Police and civil administration officials including Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, IGP Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar, continue to monitor the situation and rescue operation.