Tuesday 12th May, 2026
Anantnag, Jun 1: A guide drowned after saving five tourists, including two foreigners, during rafting in river Lidder in Pahalgam in this south Kashmir district on Friday evening, official sources said on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah salute to guide for sacrificing his life while saving five tourists.
Sources said a rafting boat carrying five tourists, including two foreigners, capsized in river Lidder Pahalgam last evening at 1900 hrs at Rafting Point in Movera Pahalgam. However, guide Rafuf Ahmad Dar managed to save all the tourists before being drowned in the river., they said adding rescue operation was immediately launched by different agencies, including State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and locals despite darkness. However, the rescue operation was stopped and later resumed with the first light this morning.
The body of Rauf, a resident of Yeened Pahalgam was retrieved from the river on Saturday morning near Bhawani Bridge.
The body was handed over to his family after medical and legal formalities, they said.
Vice president of the National Conference (NC) Omar in a tweet today said “ My salute to this braveheart Rauf Ahmad Dar. He saved the tourists from his capsized raft but lost his own life in the process. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat”.