Omar Abdullah visits family of two brothers who drowned in Jhelum River

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited the family of two brothers who drowned in the Jhelum River in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, offering condolences and assuring government support.

The chief minister visited Bijbehara in Anantnag to meet the bereaved family after the tragic incident that took place a day earlier. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss and conveyed solidarity with the grieving family, according to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

The deceased were identified as Majid Ahmad Malik (30) and Shahid Ahmad Malik (28) , residents of Jablipora village in Anantnag . The brothers had gone to the Padshahibagh area of Bijbehara on Monday to bathe or wash sheep in the river when the accident occurred.

According to preliminary accounts, one of the brothers slipped into the fast-flowing water, and the other drowned while attempting to rescue him.

Following the incident, police, SDRF teams, and locals launched a rescue operation , and both bodies were recovered within a short duration of around one to one-and-a-half hours, officials said.

Reports also indicated that recent rainfall had increased water levels in the Jhelum , making riverbanks more dangerous in several areas. Local representatives, including the MLA, also visited the spot, where the atmosphere remained tense and grief-stricken as the family awaited updates.

The chief minister assured the family of full government assistance and support , reiterating the administration’s commitment to stand with them in the time of loss.