Jammu, Dec 30:
A pall of gloom has descended over the Forest Department in Doda following the tragic demise of a Forest Guard in a sudden stone-sliding incident. The official, identified as Mohd Iqbal Zargar, lost his life while on duty on Monday evening.
According to official reports, Zargar—son of Haji Ghulam Qadir Zargar and a resident of Mancher, Bhagwa—was walking along his routine route near the Gaadi Nallah area. Witnesses state that a large stone suddenly dislodged from the hillside above and struck him directly on the head.
The impact was severe, causing the officer to fall unconscious immediately.
Local residents and colleagues present at the spot acted swiftly to rescue Zargar. He was rushed to the Associated Hospital, Government Medical College (GMC) Doda for emergency treatment.
Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the injuries proved fatal. Doctors at the hospital officially declared him dead on arrival, citing the severity of the head trauma sustained during the slide.
The local police have taken cognizance of the incident, and the body was handed over to the family for the last rites after the completion of legal formalities.
This incident highlights the hazardous conditions faced by forest personnel working in the hilly and landslide-prone terrains of the Doda district, especially during the winter months when soil instability often leads to shooting stones.
Tributes Pour In:
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Colleagues describe Mohd Iqbal Zargar as a dedicated and hardworking employee of the Forest Department.
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The department is expected to hold a condolence meeting to honor his service.
