RAF havildar saves woman from raging canal in Pathankot

A Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel risked his life to rescue a 40-year-old woman who allegedly attempted suicide by jumping into a swollen canal in Punjab’s Pathankot district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The dramatic rescue, captured on CCTV, has drawn widespread appreciation from police, residents and administrative officials.

The incident took place near Baba Barfani Temple, where the woman reportedly climbed down the steps leading to the Dhira Canal and leapt into the fast-flowing water at around 8:25 a.m. Officials said the canal was carrying a strong current after water was released from the Ranjit Sagar Dam, making the rescue operation particularly challenging.

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According to Station House Officer Amit Kumar, preliminary inquiries revealed that the woman, a resident of Saingarh village, had been under severe emotional distress following the death of her father about a month ago. Police said she is also the mother of a 12-year-old daughter.

The rescue operation began after Punjab Police constable Diksha, who was on duty at a nearby checkpoint, noticed the woman being swept away by the current and immediately raised an alarm. Responding without hesitation, RAF Havildar Santosh Kumar rushed to the scene, obtained a long piece of cloth from the temple premises and entered the canal to save her.

Despite the strong current, Santosh Kumar managed to reach the woman after a strenuous effort and safely brought her back to the bank. CCTV footage of the operation shows the RAF personnel and police officials coordinating the rescue as the woman drifted rapidly downstream.

Recalling the incident, constable Diksha said the woman was repeatedly disappearing beneath the water due to the force of the current. “The moment I saw her being carried away, I alerted Havildar Santosh Kumar. He immediately ran towards the temple, arranged a rope-like cloth and launched the rescue even as the woman had already crossed a bridge downstream,” she said.

More than 50 people had gathered at the spot during the incident, but none could enter the canal because of the dangerous flow of water. Santosh Kumar, an experienced swimmer, undertook the rescue despite the risks and eventually succeeded in bringing the woman to safety.

Inspector Amit Kumar said the timely intervention by the RAF personnel prevented what could have turned into a fatal tragedy. “Had Havildar Santosh Kumar not acted promptly, the outcome could have been very different,” he said.

The woman was shifted for medical attention after the rescue. Police said she is receiving treatment and will also be provided counselling by women police officials as part of the post-rescue intervention. Meanwhile, senior Punjab Police officers and local authorities have praised the courage and presence of mind displayed by the RAF jawan, who is currently deployed in Pathankot on special duty in connection with the Amarnath Yatra.