Handwara,Jul,27: A wave of grief swept through Bomdagar village in the Magam area of Handwara after a 12-year-old boy lost his life in a tragic drowning incident while bathing in a local pond on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Aayan Tantary, son of Abdul Qayoom Tantary, a resident of Magam Bomdagar.

According to officials and eyewitnesses, the minor had gone to the pond to bathe when he accidentally slipped into deep water and drowned. Soon after the incident was reported, a massive rescue operation was launched involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Unit Kupwara, Handwara Police led by SDPO Handwara Faisal Rouf, Tehsildar Handwara Zeeshan Khan, personnel of Handwara and Kupwara Police, the Indian Army, and local volunteers.

Rescue teams carried out an intensive search operation for several hours before successfully retrieving the body from the pond. The body was shifted for completion of legal and medico-legal formalities and was later handed over to the bereaved family for the last rites.

The tragic incident has left the entire village in mourning, with hundreds of residents gathering to offer condolences to the family. Locals described Aayan as a cheerful and innocent child whose untimely demise has deeply shocked the community.

Meanwhile, former DDC Chairman Kupwara Irfan Sultan Pandithpori and MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed expressed profound grief over the incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Both prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear the irreparable loss.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with bathing in unattended ponds, rivers, and other water bodies, particularly during the prevailing heatwave. The district administration has repeatedly appealed to parents and the general public to discourage children from entering unsafe water bodies and to strictly adhere to safety advisories issued by the authorities.

As temperatures continue to soar across Kashmir, officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant and ensure proper supervision of children to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies in the future.