NAROWAL: Two youths drowned while bathing in the River Chenab in Sialkot on Sunday.

Rescue 1122 district emergency officer said they received a call about the incident from village Chakrala of Sialkot tehsil. He said that as soon as the phone call was received, rescue and medical teams immediately reached the spot and a rescue and search operation was launched.

During the operation, the rescue team retrieved the dead bodies of both the youths from the river. They were identified as 18-year-old Kaleemullah, a resident of Prem Nagar in Sialkot, and 18-year-old Hasnain Ali.

Eyewitnesses said that five friends were bathing in the River Chenab when Kaleemullah started drowning in deep water. They said that Hasnain Ali drowned while trying to save his friend.

Mr Iqbal said that the rescue team, after completing legal formalities, handed over the bodies to the families. He said that on the orders of the Punjab Government, bathing in rivers, canals and storm drains was banned in all districts.

He said that rescue teams patrol the banks of the River Chenab and its canals and also distribute awareness brochures among the citizens. He said that despite all the safety arrangements, 20 to 25 people die every year in Chenab and its canals.

He appealed to the citizens to prevent their children from bathing in rivers and canals so that human lives could be protected.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026