Rafting trip turns to tragedy in Sonamarg

Srinagar: A rafting trip turned to tragedy as two female teachers drowned and six others were rescued when a boat capsized in river Sindh at the famous Sonamarg tourist resort in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Saturday.Official sources said that a rafting boat carrying a group of teachers of Sindh Valley Educational Institute, Kangan capsized after it hit a huge rock in the gushing waters of Sindh nallah in the prominent Sonamarg tourist resort around 11:30 a.m. Two female teachers, identified as Naseema daughter of Abdul Rahid Najar of Chatergund Kangan and Mubeena daughter of Ghulam Qadir Magray of Cherwan Kangan drowned in the accident. However, the efforts by the locals saved six of their colleagues from drowning.Confirming the incident, concerned Station House Officer, Pervaiz Ahmad told that the rafting trip was not organized by the school. “It was organized by recognized rafting organisation, Magic Mountain Rafting, and was usual entertainment trip,” he said.  The incident comes almost a fortnight after two cars rolled into Lidder stream in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam hill station resulting in death of at least two youth, while the third one is still missing. Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah expressed grief over incident.The Chie Minister in his condolence message to the bereaved families has expressed shock over the incident showing sympathy with them. He has directed the concerned for appropriate treatment to the injured.Meanwhile, a boy drowned in a river in Naidkhai area of north Kashmir’s Bandipore district, police said.They said Adil Firdous Mir, son of Firdous Ahmad Mir of Naidkhai drowned into the river at Gulab Wani, Sumbal. The body of the boy was fished out by the locals of Manzpora.“After completing all legal formalities the body of the deceased was handed over to legal heirs for last rites. Police has registered a case in this regard,” the spokesman added.