7 from Banur drowned in Himachal Pradesh lake

Una, August 1

Seven youths, all from Banur in SAS Nagar district of Punjab, drowned in Gobind Sagar Lake at Androuli village of Bangana subdivision today. A group of 11 youths had reached Una to pay obeisance at the Pir Nigaha shrine. They then decided to go to the Baba Balak Nath temple in Hamirpur district. On the way, they stopped on the banks of Gobind Sagar Lake and decided to swim. All 11 descended into the water. Around 3.50 pm, one of the swimmers appeared to be gasping for breath. Two others rushed to assist him, but failed in their attempt. The other swimmers too joined to help. While four of them swam to safety, seven

drowned. The services of divers from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) were requisitioned to locate and take out the bodies. By 7 pm, all seven bodies were recovered. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Parveen Dhiman, the deceased have been identified as Pawan Kumar (35), Raman Kumar (19), Love Kumar (17), Lakhvir Kumar (16), Arun Kumar (14), Vishal Kumar (18) and Shiva Kumar (16). The four who swam to safety are Krishan Lal (32), Gurpreet Singh (23), Raman Kumar (17) and Sonu Kumar (28).

Mohali Deputy Commissioner said all victims were part of an extended family.