Mandi (HP), Jul 26 (PTI) Two youths are feared drowned after being swept away by strong currents in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) canal here, police said on Saturday.

Three friends — Harjeet, Ashish Gautam and Sudhir — had gone to the canal near Baggi Chowk for a party on Friday night, they said.

Also Read | What Is Foot-and-Mouth Virus? All You Need To Know About FMD As It Kills 15 Spotted Deer at Pune Zoo.

While returning, one of them entered the canal and slipped. The second youth jumped in to rescue him, but both were swept away by the current and have been missing since, police said.

Harjeet, who witnessed the incident, informed the police and was detained for questioning. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has launched a search and rescue operation, but the youths have not been found yet, they added.

Also Read | Indian Army Agniveer CEE Result 2025 Declared: Check How to Download Scorecard, Roll Number-Wise Merit List and Phase II Process Details at joinindianarmy.nic.in.

Ashish Gautam worked in a bank in Sundernagar and lived on rent at Sudhir's house.

Lohar Panchayat head Panna Lal said that he received information that Harjeet, a resident in Baggi, was held for questioning, he spoke to the police for further details.

Search and rescue efforts are underway, police said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)