Pulwama man found dead in river after fleeing gambling incident: J&K Police

PULWAMA — A 35-year-old labourer, Aabid Manzoor Dar, was found dead in the Jhelum River near Barsoo in Awantipora area of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district after a police investigation into his disappearance led to the recovery of his body. The incident occurred on July 15, as reported by J&K Police in a press release.

Aadil Manzoor Dar reported his brother Aabid missing after he failed to return home that morning. The Awantipora Police Station registered the missing report and launched an inquiry to trace him.

According to the police statement, technical analysis of Aabid’s call data records identified three individuals who had been in contact with him shortly before his disappearance. Upon questioning, these individuals disclosed that they, along with Aabid, were gambling by the roadside. When they noticed a nearby police patrol, they panicked and fled. One of the men mentioned he crossed the river but lost track of Aabid.

Police questioned local boatmen and acquaintances of the missing man but found no clues. Subsequently, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was called in, and they located Aabid’s body near Barsoo. A postmortem examination is being conducted by a board of doctors.

The investigation, as per the J&K Police press release, is being carried out under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), with all material facts being considered. The police are also probing the gambling aspect of the incident.

Meanwhile, authorities have advised the public to avoid spreading rumours and to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.