Jammu floods: Nine army Jawans, officer trapped after boat capsizes in Jhelum River

Srinagar: At least nine Army personnel, including an officer, were on Saturday trapped in strong water currents of Jhelum River as their boat capsized during a rescue operation in flood-affected Pulwama district of Kashmir, an Army 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 were trapped in strong water currents in Jhelum River, the official said.

While 11 personnel managed to come back to safety, nine personnel are still trapped, he said, adding, two helicopters have been pressed into service to airlift the trapped Army personnel.

“The soldiers are marooned on a piece of land they managed to reach after their boat capsized. All of them are highly trained swimmers,” the officer said.

“We have launched an operation to rescue them,” the officer added.

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.

PTI