BALAKOT: Deputy Chief of Jamaat-i-Islaami Karachi Ameer Nasrullah Shaji drowned in River Kunhar on Monday in an attempt to save a child from drowning near Balakot, DawnNews reported.

The incident occurred when a 10th grade student Sufyan, who was snapping pictures, slipped and fell in the river.

According to the police, Nasrullah witnessed the accident and jumped in the river to save the child, but drowned as well.

Volunteers recovered the body of the drowned child, but efforts are still underway to retrieve the body of Nasrullah.

Nasrullah, the principal of a private school in Karachi, had brought the students to Balakot on a study tour.

The JI vice president is regarded as an eminent personality in Karachi and has also been elected as a member of the Sindh Assembly on a party ticket.