A tourist guide in Jammu and Kashmir died on Friday, 30 May, while saving the lives of at least seven tourists after their boat capsized in a river.
According to media reports, the boat, which was ferrying seven tourists and the guide, including two foreigners, capsized into the Lidder River in Kashmir’s Anantnag district, following gusty winds.
The guide, Rouf Ahmad Dar, managed to save the lives of all the seven tourists, but drowned in the process. A search and rescue operation was launched almost immediately by teams of SDRF, the police and locals, and lasted until the late hours of Friday, reported India Today.
However, Dar’s body was retrieved only on Saturday near the Bhawani bridge in the Lidder river, the report added.
Former J&K chief minister and National Conference Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to laud Dar for his bravery.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik also saluted Dar’s bravery announced a ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the deceased's kin. The deputy commissioner of Anantnag has also recommended Dar for a bravery award.
Dar’s body has reportedly been handed over to his family after completion of the necessary legal and medical procedures.
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