Srinagar: Two fishermen drowned after a boat capsized in Dal Lake near Duck Park on Friday afternoon, prompting a rescue operation that was later halted due to poor visibility and fading light.
Officials said the incident occurred during gusty winds, catching the fishermen off guard. Their boat was overwhelmed by the sudden weather change and capsized near Duck Park.
“The two fishermen jumped into the water in an attempt to save themselves. One of them, identified as Abdul Majeed Khosa, son of Mohammad Sultan Khosa from Rainawari, Srinagar, was rescued immediately. Despite continuous efforts, the second person, Taufeeq Ahmad Chopan (24), son of Ghulam Mohammad Chopan, a resident of Chopan Mohalla, Rainawari, remains missing,” an official said.
The rescue operation involved teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), with divers and rescue boats deployed to thoroughly scan the area. However, as darkness fell, the operation was suspended due to limited visibility and low light conditions.
An SDRF official said that despite extensive search efforts using specialised equipment, there were no signs of the missing person.
“The rescue teams will resume the search at first light tomorrow morning,” the official added.
