ABBOTTABAD: A teenager from Gujranwala district of Punjab drowned when he dived into the River Jhelum to go across it after his friends allegedly offered him a smartphone and Rs15,000 if he performed the daring act.

Ali Abrar, 19, was swept away by strong currents when he threw himself into the waters at Kuneer Picnic Point on Friday evening.

According to the footage going viral on social media, the boy disappeared in the water moments after diving into the river.

It was reported that Ali Abrar was not interested in jumping into the river, but he did so on the insistence of his friends. The victim’s friends were heard crying and asking for help immediately after he jumped into the river.

Since his drowning, the local police, divers, and Rescue 1122 personnel have been trying to locate the body, but till filing of this report on Sunday evening the victim was yet to be traced.

According to reporting in-charge of Bakot police station, the victim’s friends had been arrested and booked under section 322.

They were identified as Osama, Talha, Zeshan, Shoeb and Rahat, all belonging to Gujranwala. They would be produced before local magistrate today (Monday).

Local residents said the river at the Kuneer Picnic Point was more than 200-foot deep, adding before the point River Kunhar also met the River Jhelum, further increasing the water flow.

They said no one could think of crossing the river at the point except on boats.

A police officer on condition of anonymity said during last one year five tourists had drowned.

He said no warnings were put on display for the tourists. He said neither safety walls nor iron grills had been put in place to mark the danger zone.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2017