Kathmandu, June 6, 2025 - The Armed Police Force of Nepal has intensified the search for a missing diver in the Saptakoshi River, following the recovery of one body on Friday morning. The body has been identified as Hardev Rajbanshi, a constable stationed at the Shreeantu Battalion in Ilam and attached to the Dantakali Special Task Training Academy in Saptari.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon during a monsoon disaster preparedness drill conducted at the Koshi River in Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality-1, Saptari. Rajbanshi and another officer, Suraj Saud, went missing at approximately 3:10 PM during the exercise. Saud, stationed at the 13th Battalion in Parsa and working at the Chhinnamasta Brigade Headquarters, remains unaccounted for.
The preparedness drill involved 56 personnel from various units of the Armed Police Force, deployed to simulate rescue operations in monsoon-related disasters. However, the unexpected disappearance of the two officers has turned the exercise into a real-life search and recovery mission.
A combined force of approximately 60 personnel, including divers from the Dantakali Special Task Training Academy, the 6th Battalion in Saptari, and the Disaster Management Training Academy in Kurintar, is engaged in the operation. The search is being led by DSP Vijay Hamal and DSP Bipin Deshar, with additional reinforcements sent from Kurintar under the command of experienced diving instructor DSP Purushottam Bhandari.
Bhandari, who completed diving training in Bangladesh in 2069 BS and has been serving as a diving instructor since, emphasized the challenges of assessing the situation without observing the site conditions firsthand. The fast-moving waters of the Koshi River and other environmental factors have complicated the search efforts.
It was clarified by officials that this drill was not a formal training session but part of a nationwide series of disaster preparedness exercises to enhance rescue capabilities during the monsoon season. Both missing personnel had completed their diving training in 2080/81 BS and had been actively involved in various rescue missions since. However, they were not certified diving instructors, and the exercise aimed to simulate real-life disaster scenarios.
The tragic incident has raised questions about the safety protocols followed during such drills and the preparedness of rescue teams operating in high-risk environments. The Armed Police Force has expressed its commitment to continue the search and ensure thorough investigations into the incident.
Ecosphere News will provide updates as new information emerges.
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