Boat carrying soldiers capsizes in J&K, seven rescued

Seven of the nine Army personnel trapped in strong water currents of Jhelum River in flood-affected Pulwama district were rescued on Saturday, while two others are still trapped in flood waters, an Army official said.

“Seven of the trapped personnel were rescued and evacuated to safety, while efforts are on to save the lives of two other soldiers,” the official said.

A boat carrying a team of Army personnel, who were on relief and rescue operation in Pamopore area of Pulwama district, capsized and the personnel were trapped in strong water currents in Jhelum River, the official said.

While 11 personnel managed to come back to safety, nine personnel got trapped, following which two helicopters were pressed into service to airlift the trapped personnel.

However, due to technical difficulties the choppers could not reach the trapped soldiers after which the rescue teams used boats to evacuate the seven soldiers, the official said.

The flood situation in Kashmir was as worse as the Uttarakhand floods last year and Army has mobilised 60 columns for relief and rescue work across the valley, he said.

“Despite facing danger to personal safety, the Army personnel are out there to provide relief to the civilian population of Kashmir,” he said.

More than 5,000 persons have been rescued and evacuated to safety.

“We have set up temporary camps at several places for the displaced persons,” he added.