YAMUNANAGAR, HARYANA: Two soldiers of the Indian Army’s 1 Para Special Forces remain missing after a training boat carrying five personnel overturned in strong currents near Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district.
The incident took place on Tuesday, September 1, during a joint watermanship training exercise. According to the Army, the training boat was swept towards the downstream side of the barrage after encountering strong currents. Efforts were made to recover and control the boat, but it became caught in powerful eddies near the sluice gates and eventually capsized.
All five personnel were swept into the fast-flowing water. Three soldiers managed to reach safety, while two were carried downstream by the strong current and remain untraced.
Search and Rescue Operation Underway
A large-scale multi-agency search and rescue operation has been launched to locate the two missing soldiers. Teams from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, police and the civil administration are participating in the operation.
Two helicopters have also been deployed to conduct aerial surveillance of the barrage and downstream waterways. Rescue teams are searching the Yamuna and connected canal systems, including the Western Yamuna Canal in Haryana and the Eastern Yamuna Canal towards Uttar Pradesh.
Strong Currents Complicate Rescue Efforts
The Hathnikund Barrage area presents difficult conditions for rescue teams because of the strong flow and turbulent water around the barrage gates. The Army said the boat became trapped in strong eddies around the sluice gates before capsizing.
The two missing soldiers were reportedly wearing life jackets when they were swept away. Rescue teams have expanded the search downstream to cover areas where the current may have carried the personnel.
Water Discharge Reduced to Support Search
Following a request from the Army, the Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department reduced water discharge from Hathnikund Barrage and into the Western Yamuna Canal.
The reduction in water flow is intended to help rescue teams operate more safely and improve search conditions in the affected areas. Ground teams are continuing searches along riverbanks, canals and areas around the barrage.
Three Soldiers Reach Safety
Despite the powerful currents, three members of the five-person crew managed to reach safety. The remaining two soldiers were swept downstream and could not be located in the initial search.
Officials and rescue agencies are continuing efforts to trace the missing personnel, with both aerial and ground-based searches being carried out across the possible downstream routes.
Army Training Exercise Turns Into Rescue Operation
The incident occurred during a watermanship training activity designed to prepare Army personnel for operating in challenging water conditions. Such exercises involve navigating boats and dealing with difficult riverine environments.
The Army has not disclosed further details about the technical issue that affected the training boat. Authorities are continuing to coordinate the rescue operation across Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as the search remains underway.
The latest reports indicate that the two 1 Para Special Forces soldiers had not been traced as of Wednesday, September 2. Search teams remain deployed in the barrage, river and downstream canal areas in an effort to locate them.
