Rawalpindi: Father’s body recovered as search for son continues in Nullah Lai

ISLAMABAD: Rescuers on Saturday recovered the body of a man who jumped into Rawalpindi’s Nullah Lai in an attempt to save his seven-year-old son after the child fell into the drain, while the search for the boy was still underway.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the incident occurred at around 10am in Gulistan Colony, Lane No 3, near Nullah Lai.

Rescue officials said the child, identified as Zahid, accidentally fell into the drain, reportedly due to the absence of a protective boundary wall along its edge. After being alerted by his younger daughter, the boy’s father, Mehrban, aged between 35 and 40, rushed to the scene. Believing he had spotted his son after seeing what appeared to be a piece of clothing in the water, Mehrban jumped into the drain in an attempt to rescue him. However, both father and son were swept away by the strong current and disappeared beneath the water, rescue officials said.

A water rescue team from Rescue 1122 launched a search and rescue operation soon after receiving the emergency call, while police also reached the site to assist.

In the latest update, rescue officials said Mehrban’s body had been recovered from the drain. They added that there were no signs of life when the body was retrieved.

The search for Zahid, who is the third of five siblings, was continuing several hours after the incident, with rescue teams combing the area for the missing child.