Jaisalmer: Two youths who were swept away by the strong current of the RD-1260 canal while taking selfies in Jaisalmer’s Nachna area on Sunday were found dead on Monday after a nearly 20-hour rescue operation.Personnel from the Army’s 811 CTC camp and police divers recovered both bodies following an extensive search operation. During the rescue, two Sappers of the Army’s Golden Katar Division — Lance Havildar Nidheesh PP and Agniveer SM Reddy — risked their lives by jumping into the fast-flowing Indira Gandhi Canal (IGC) and rescued a 16-year-old boy who had also been swept away.Nachna SHO Sumer Dan said three youths had entered the RD-1260 canal on Sunday evening to take selfies when they were caught in the strong current.After receiving information about the incident, Nachna police and Army personnel from the Golden Katar Division reached the spot with a boat and launched the rescue operation. The 16-year-old boy was rescued alive and brought to safety, while the other two youths remained untraced during the initial search.Local swimmers Hussain Khan and Ashiq Ali also joined the rescue effort and assisted the Army and police teams. According to police, the two swimmers regularly help the police and administration during such canal-related incidents.After nearly 20 hours of sustained rescue efforts, the bodies of the two youths were recovered early Monday morning. They were taken to Nachna Community Health Centre, where post-mortem examinations were conducted. The bodies were subsequently handed over to the families.The operation was carried out through coordinated efforts by Army personnel, police and local swimmers. The tragedy has triggered grief in the area and serves as a stark warning against taking selfies near canals with strong currents, where even a moment of carelessness can prove fatal.The daring rescue by the two Army Sappers stands as a testament to “Courage Beyond Duty, Presence of Mind and Service Before Self,” reflecting the ethos and values of the Indian Army.
