Srinagar, June 1: A boat carrying seven tourists capsized in Lidder river in Mawoora Pahalgam area in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Friday. A young tourist guide, identified as Rouf Ahmed Dar, lost his life in the incident while saving the drowning tourists. A resident of Kulgam district's Yinad village, Rouf Ahmed Dar is being described as a braveheart. His body was recovered from Lidder river this morning.

The raft carrying seven tourists including two foreigners capsized after it was caught in sudden gusty winds. All people on board including Dar fell in the Lidder river. Dar managed to save all the passengers but could not save himself, reports said. Jammu and Kashmir Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a search and rescue operation to save the young tourist. Jammu And Kashmir: 2 Terrorists Gunned Down in Tral Encounter by Security Forces.

However, only Dar's body could be recovered on Saturday morning near the Bhawani bridge. After completion of medical and legal formalities, authorities handed over his body to his relatives. Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag has recommended Dar for a bravery award. Chief Secretary also hailed Dar's heroic deed and directed the district administration to support his family.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also paid tribute to Dar. "My salute to this braveheart Rauf Ahmad Dar. He saved the tourists from his capsized raft but lost his own life in the process. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat," he wrote on Twitter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 01, 2019 02:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).