Men drive SUV into fast-flowing river in J&K to film reel, get stuck in strong current

A group of youngsters attempting to record a social media reel in the fast-flowing Sindh River in Jammu and Kashmir's Sonamarg narrowly escaped a dangerous situation after their Mahindra Scorpio became stranded in the turbulent waters.

The incident took place near Hotel Sindh Resorts, where the driver allegedly steered the SUV into the riverbed while attempting to perform stunts for the camera. The vehicle soon became stuck in the strong current, leaving the occupants trapped in the middle of the river and at risk of being swept away.

After receiving information about the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel rushed to the spot. Local residents also joined the rescue effort, and together they managed to evacuate all the occupants from the vehicle and bring them safely back to the riverbank.

The occupants were rescued without any injuries, while the Scorpio was later recovered from the river.

Police identified the driver as Mohd Ibad Bhat, a resident of Nawakadal in Srinagar. Another occupant was identified as Naseer Ahmad Mugal, a resident of Mahore in Reasi.

According to police, driving the vehicle into the river while attempting to record videos amounted to gross negligence and created an immediate risk to both the occupants and public safety. An official case was subsequently registered in connection with the incident.

Authorities have also renewed their warning to tourists and local youngsters against attempting dangerous stunts around mountain rivers and other water bodies. Police cautioned that such acts can quickly turn fatal and could also invite strict legal action.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 11:05 IST