Uri Mar 17: A highly trained marine commando from the Indian Navy’s elite MARCOS unit sustained critical injuries during a challenging rescue mission in the turbulent waters of the Jhelum River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday. Officials confirmed that the commando, identified as A.S. Badoria, was swiftly evacuated and shifted to the Army Hospital in Boniyar for urgent medical attention, where his condition remains precarious.
The incident unfolded in the Uri area of Baramulla district following a desperate act by a middle-aged woman from Lagama Uri, who jumped into the fast-flowing Jhelum River from a wooden footbridge at Chandanwari. Prompt response from local authorities led to an immediate joint search and rescue operation involving teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Baramulla and the Civil Defence Unit, Uri, who scoured the riverbanks and waters in the initial hours.
With the woman still missing and the operation intensifying, reinforcements arrived on Tuesday, including specialized personnel from the Navy’s MARCOS (Marine Commandos) unit, renowned for their expertise in high-risk aquatic and counter-terrorism missions. During the heightened search efforts, tragedy struck when Commando A.S. Badoria slipped and plunged into the river. He was carried away by the strong currents for several harrowing minutes before his fellow team members managed to pull him to safety.
Eyewitness accounts and official statements describe Badoria as initially unconscious upon rescue, having suffered severe injuries from the ordeal. He was rushed to the Army Hospital, Boniyar, for immediate and intensive treatment. “The condition of the injured personnel was reported to be critical,” one official stated, underscoring the gravity of his injuries sustained in the line of duty.
This dramatic event highlights the perilous risks faced by India’s first responders, particularly in the rugged terrains and unpredictable waters of Jammu and Kashmir. Rescue operations continue unabated for the woman, with authorities deploying all available resources amid heightened concerns for both the missing individual and the injured commando’s recovery.
