MANSEHRA: Two minor siblings drowned after slipping from a rocky slope into the Kunhar River in the Tarapi area of Kaghan Valley here on Wednesday.

“We have launched a rescue operation after a boy and his sister playing in the mountainous area fell from a height into the river and were swept away by the fast-flowing water,” District Emergency Officer of Rescue 1122, Ibrar Ali, told reporters.

According to witnesses, Sameer, 8, and his sister, Fatima, 6, who had come from Balakot to visit their grandparents in Tarapi, slipped from a rocky surface and fell into the Kunhar River, where they were carried away downstream.

Villagers and family members, who identified the siblings as grandchildren of a resident, Shahzaman, rushed to the scene and informed Rescue 1122 to retrieve the bodies.

“Our operation to search for and recover the bodies is underway, but the strong current of the river is hindering rescue efforts,” Mr Ali said.

He urged people to avoid gathering near the operation site and instead cooperate with rescuers in the search effort.

“I am optimistic that our divers’ team could fish out the bodies soon and hand them over to their family,” Mr Ali said.

Meanwhile, a man was killed, and another sustained critical injuries when rival groups exchanged fire over a land dispute in the Nawazabad area of Siren Valley.

Waliur Rehman and Mohammad Alam sustained serious gunshot injuries and were taken to a nearby health facility, where doctors pronounced Rehman dead.

The body was handed over to the family after medico-legal formalities were completed.

Police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation to arrest the accused, who managed to flee the scene.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026