Retired Pakistan Navy Lieutenant Commander Amir Hindal, who drowned along with several family members in the Swat boat tragedy, was an expert swimmer. According to eyewitnesses, he initially attempted to jump into the water to save himself, but upon seeing his children, turned back and embraced them in an effort to protect them.
It was reported that Amir Hindal’s eldest daughter had recently arrived from the United States to spend her holidays in Pakistan. The Hindal family decided to visit Swat and were on a boat ride at Saifullah Lake when the vessel capsized.
Among those who lost their lives were Amir Hindal, his 20-year-old son Abdullah Hindal, his two daughters, 27-year-old Parwa Hindal and 23-year-old Ruwail Hindal, as well as Parwa’s two young children. Amir Hindal’s third daughter, Bushra, is still missing.
Witnesses said Amir Hindal continued trying to save his children until the very end and ultimately lost his own life in the attempt.
A case has been registered at Kalam Police Station on the complaint of the deceased’s nephew, Kanan Liaquat, and police have launched raids to arrest the suspect.
Eyewitness Saad Karim said that at Saifullah Lake, passengers are usually boarded while the boat is at the shore, after which it is pushed toward deeper water before the engine is started. However, in this case, the boat reached relatively deep water before the driver attempted to start the engine, but he failed to do so.
Carried by the current, the boat quickly drifted to the point where the lake empties into the Isho River.
A second boat was dispatched to help, and another launch managed to get close to the stranded vessel. The passengers were instructed to jump onto the rescue launch immediately, but they were too frightened to do so.
“The head of the family tried to jump once, but then turned back and began looking after his children,” Saad Karim said.
“Less than a minute later, the boat and everyone on board disappeared beneath the water.”
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