Doda: In a daring night-long operation, Doda Police, assisted by the SDRF and Army, rescued eight men who were trapped in the middle of the Chenab River at Karmail in Assar after their makeshift wooden raft got stuck among floating timber.
According to police sources, a distress call was received at Police Station Assar around midnight, reporting that eight people were stranded in the river. Immediately, District Police Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and SDRF personnel, equipped with rescue gear, rushed to the spot.
Dense fog over the Chenab made the mission even more challenging by reducing visibility. However, using high-powered torches and coordinated guidance, the rescuers managed to help the trapped men move towards the riverbank and reach safety. The operation lasted nearly three hours.
The rescue was carried out under the supervision of DySP DAR/SDRF Adil Rishu and SHO Assar Insp. Rakesh Bandral, under the direct command of SSP Doda Sandeep Mehta. The 48 RR Army unit also provided crucial support, while a police team from Batote, led by SHO Insp. Vijay Kotwal, was present at the site.
All eight men were safely rescued without any casualties. Police have launched an inquiry to determine the circumstances under which the men entered the river. Initial suspicion suggests they may have been attempting to illegally collect timber, in violation of a prohibitory order issued by the District Magistrate.
Authorities warned that if any deliberate wrongdoing—such as timber theft or disobedience of lawful orders—is confirmed, strict legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, will be initiated.
Doda Police have also appealed to the public to avoid such dangerous acts, stressing that venturing into the Chenab on unsafe rafts or makeshift boats is extremely risky and can be life-threatening. Anyone found engaging in such unlawful activities will face legal consequences, police said.
