Dehradun: In a heart-wrenching tragedy, Army jawan Sunil Rawat, a resident of Kumjuk village in Chamoli district, lost his life while saving his friend from drowning in the Punera Gadera (rivulet) near Sutol motor road. The 25-year-old soldier, posted in Garhwal Rifles in Bhatinda, Punjab, had returned home on leave for Dev Puja when the incident occurred.
On Wednesday, Sunil Rawat went to Punera rivulet with his three friends—Badal, Uttam, and Hrithik Rawat—for a refreshing bath. The group chose to bathe at the confluence of Punera and Nandakini, a scenic yet dangerous spot.
Heroic act turns tragic
According to local witnesses, one of the young men slipped into deep water and began struggling to stay afloat. Without hesitation, Sunil jumped into the river, managing to pull his friend to safety. However, in the process, he got trapped in a whirlpool between the rocks and was swept away by the strong currents.
Rescue efforts and tragic outcome
Passersby rushed to help, but despite desperate attempts, they could not reach Sunil in time. Upon receiving the emergency call, the Nanda Nagar police team arrived at the scene. However, due to the depth of the river and Sunil being stuck between rocks, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was summoned.
After intense efforts, the SDRF team recovered Sunil’s body from the deep waters. His remains were sent to the district hospital in Gopeshwar for postmortem.
Grief and mourning in his village
Sunil Rawat’s untimely demise has left his family devastated. His parents, younger brother, and sister are inconsolable, struggling to come to terms with the loss of their beloved son and brother. The entire Kumjuk village is mourning the loss of a brave soldier, who selflessly sacrificed his life to save another.
Police investigation underway
Nanda Nagar police station in-charge Narendra Rawat confirmed that the body has been retrieved and sent for postmortem. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident to ensure safety measures are in place for future visitors to the river. Sunil Rawat’s courage and selflessness have left a lasting impact on his community.
