Srinagar, April 13 (IANS) Two brothers drowned in the Jhelum River in the Bijbehara area of J&K’s Anantnag district on Monday, police said.

The two brothers had drowned after accidentally slipping into the Jhelum River in the Padshahibagh area of Bijbehara, a police official said, adding that the bodies of the two siblings have been recovered.

Officials said that the deceased have been identified as Majid Ahmad Malik and Shahid Ahmad Malik, residents of Jabalipora.

“They lost balance while bathing today, slipped, and fell into the deep waters of the river, after which they went missing. Soon after the incident, a police team from Bijbehara, along with local residents, launched a massive rescue operation to trace the missing siblings. The bodies were later recovered with the assistance of police and SDRF personnel, along with locals,” an official said.

There have been scores of drowning accidents in the Jhelum River in the Valley in recent years, with almost all of them taking place in late spring, summer, and autumn months.

Drowning incidents often occur during washing, bathing, or accidental slips near banks, particularly in fast-flowing water.

On April 12, the body of local resident Ayaz Ahmad was retrieved by the SDRF and River Police near Basant Bagh, Gowkadal in Srinagar.

A girl had jumped into the Jhelum reservoir (Lower Jhelum Hydro Power Project) at Peerniya, Boniyar, on July 8, 2025.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police are regularly deployed for search operations, but turbulent conditions complicate rescues.

Authorities and local reports emphasise the need for caution around the riverbank, with many incidents happening due to slipping.

As a precautionary measure to prevent suicide attempts by youth under depression or under the effect of drugs, all the bridges on the Jhelum River have been high-fenced on both sides in Srinagar city.

–IANS

sq/vd