2 Rajasthan youths drown in Pong lake

Nurpur, August 1

Two youths, identified as Mukesh Kumar (18) and Amerjeet (18), both residents of Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, drowned in the Pong Dam reservoir near Bathu-ki-Lari this afternoon.

The duo, who worked as labourers in mango orchards at Nagabari, went to the reservoir. According to an eyewitness, one of them went into deep water for taking a selfie with his mobile phone but drowned in the reservoir. The second youth tried to save his friend but he also drowned.

Locals informed the Jawali police about the incident. Jawali SDM Salim Azam along with the police rushed to the spot. Police and Fire Department personnel along with swimmers started a rescue operation, which was stopped late evening without any success.

The SDM said that the duo could not be traced. Two professional divers called from Dehra subdivision would relaunch the rescue operation tomorrow morning. — OC