IIT Roorkee MBA student missing after falling into Ganganahar, massive search on

IIT Roorkee MBA student Ashish Shukla went missing after slipping into the Ganganahar canal. SDRF, NDRF, Army and police teams continue intensive search operations.

A massive search operation is underway for Ashish Shukla, a second-year MBA student at IIT Roorkee, who went missing after reportedly slipping into the Ganganahar canal on February 11.

Multiple agencies including SDRF, NDRF, the Jal Police, Army personnel and Civil Lines Kotwali police have been deployed in the rescue effort. Haridwar SSP also reached the spot to monitor the search operation along with SDRF teams. Despite continuous efforts since early morning, no trace of the student has been found so far.

According to officials, the search is being carried out across a wide stretch of the canal, from Maharshi Valmiki Ghat to Asaf Nagar Jhal. Divers have been combing the area, but the fast current of the canal has hampered efforts.

Ashish Shukla, a resident of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, had come to the canal area near Nagar Nigam with friends for an evening outing. He was sitting at Valmiki Ghat when he allegedly lost his balance after slipping and fell into the canal.

Witnesses said he was immediately swept away by the strong current. His friends raised an alarm, prompting locals to rush to the spot. Some attempted to rescue him, but the force of the water made it impossible, and he soon disappeared from sight.

The search operation was suspended late Wednesday due to darkness but resumed early Thursday morning with joint teams continuing efforts. Divers have so far returned empty-handed as the operation enters another day.

Authorities have not ruled out extending the search further downstream if required.

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