Munish Sood
A night meant for celebration ended in tragedy when two friends drowned in the BSL canal near Baggi, in Balh subdivision of Mandi district, following a birthday party on Friday night. The incident has left the local community in shock and raised questions about safety near canal banks.
According to initial reports, three friends — Ashish Gautam, Sudhir, and Hardeep — had gathered at Baggi to celebrate Hardeep’s birthday. After a round of cake-cutting, photos, and light-hearted moments, the trio reportedly sat near the BSL canal around 10 PM.
Witnesses and police sources confirmed that the group had consumed alcohol during the celebration. In a sudden emotional outburst, Sudhir allegedly expressed distress over personal issues and jumped into the canal. In a desperate attempt to save him, Ashish Gautam also leapt into the water. The strong current swept both men away within moments, and they disappeared into the darkness.
Hardeep, the third friend, immediately raised an alarm, shouting for help and calling nearby locals, but was unable to intervene in time. Rescue teams, including the police and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were rushed to the spot. A search operation was launched overnight, but as of Saturday morning, no trace of either man had been found.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Balh, Smritika Negi, visited the site on Saturday to review the ongoing rescue efforts. She held a briefing with NDRF officials, who confirmed that the high water current continues to hamper operations and increases the likelihood that the bodies may have drifted further downstream.
Ashish Gautam, a resident of Panjgai in Bilaspur district, was employed at a bank in Sundernagar and was married to popular Himachali folk singer Rakhi Gautam. Sudhir, who hailed from Sundernagar, was reportedly Ashish’s landlord, and the two shared a close friendship.
The incident has cast a pall over the region, with locals expressing grief over the untimely deaths. Authorities are continuing their search and rescue efforts, with teams deployed along the canal route. Further updates are awaited as operations continue.
