The body of Assistant Sub Inspector Sagar Raj Tharu from the Armed Police Force, who went missing while assisting with a Nepal Telecom cable in the Mahakali River, has been found tangled in the wire of a collapsed suspension bridge.
Kanchanpur Chief District Officer Madan Koirala noted that recovering the body is difficult due to the river’s strong current.
Divers and soldiers from the Nepal Army have been deployed for the search and rescue mission. Authorities are also ready to use a JCB excavator to manage the current if necessary.
APF ASI’s Body Located in Bridge Wire
Koirala confirmed that Tharu’s body was located, with a person wearing an Armed Police Force Tshirt spotted among the bridge’s wires.
It is believed Tharu got caught in the wire while attempting to pull the damaged cable across the river.
The recovery team is facing tough conditions, as the swift current complicates access to the body.
APF Officer Missing During Telecom Cable Repair
Tharu went missing on Saturday, October 10, while trying to pull a severed Nepal Telecom cable across the Mahakali River using a rubber boat.
The cable was cut when the suspension bridge connecting the Dodhara Chandani area collapsed about two weeks ago, disrupting telephone and internet services in the region.
While reconnecting the cable, the boat reportedly lost control, throwing Tharu into the river.
He was part of the Armed Police Force’s border security unit in Devasthan, Dodhara-Chandani, having reported for duty just a day before the incident.
Tharu hails from Thakurbaba Municipality 6 in Tulsipur, Bardiya.
Challenges from Strong River Current
The strong current of the Mahakali River has posed significant challenges to the recovery operation. Authorities are exploring methods to decrease the current around the collapsed bridge to enhance safety and feasibility.
This incident occurred while security personnel were working to restore essential communication services following the bridge and cable collapse.
The focus remains on safely recovering Tharu’s body, with further updates expected as efforts continue.