Two brothers drowned in the Jhelum River on Wednesday after jumping in one after the other in Chakothi, Azad Kashmir.

The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. in Dharang village, located on the right bank of the river in the Chakothi sector of Jhelum Valley district, near the Line of Control.

According to initial reports, 16-year-old Kashif, son of Mohammad Yaqoob, became deeply distressed after failing several subjects in his matriculation exams. Overcome with despair, he leapt into the river near a newly installed chairlift.

According to witnesses, the older brother, Waqas Yaqoob, a 25-year-old army soldier, who was home on vacation, immediately jumped in to save him.

Unfortunately, both were swept away within moments by the river’s powerful current, leaving bystanders helpless.

Local volunteers and Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the scene and began searching the river at various points.

However, by sunset, there was still no sign of the siblings, as the strong current and high water had carried them away.

The incident marks the second such tragedy in the Jhelum Valley district this month.

On July 15, a schoolteacher from Sawan village, Umar Uzair, ended his life by jumping into the Jhelum River. His body was recovered four days later, roughly ten kilometres downstream.