Indian Army Rescues Teenage Girl Swept Towards Pakistan in Poonch’s Mendhar Nala
Indian Army troops rescued a teenage girl who was being carried unconscious downstream in Mendhar Nala near Balnoi in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, in a swift operation along the Line of Control that likely prevented her from being swept into Pakistani territory.
The incident took place at around 1:30 p.m., when sentries posted at forward positions noticed an unidentified girl floating in the stream in an unconscious state. The girl was later estimated to be between 14 and 16 years old. Mendhar Nala in this sector runs close to the LoC and flows towards Pakistan, making the Army’s response urgent.
According to officials, a jawan from the Balnoi battalion immediately jumped into the fast-moving water and pulled the girl to safety. The rescue was carried out under difficult conditions, with the stream’s direction and proximity to the border adding to the risk. Army personnel then arranged for immediate evacuation to the Primary Health Centre at Mankote.
The rescued girl was identified as Uzma Kausar, daughter of Gulsaid and a resident of Balnoi. Local police, medical authorities and the village Sarpanch were informed in advance so that she could receive prompt treatment after being brought out of the water.
Officials said her condition was stable and that her family had been informed. Some reports suggested that she received initial medical assistance at the spot before being shifted to the Mendhar Sub-District Hospital for further treatment. Police also reached the location, while further details were still awaited at the time of reporting.
The rescue has drawn attention to the Army’s routine role in the border belt of Poonch, where troops are required to remain alert along the LoC while also responding to emergencies involving civilians living in remote villages. Mendhar tehsil, located in the foothills of the Pir Panjal range, has several settlements close to the border, and streams and nalas in the area can become dangerous during periods of strong water flow.
