13yo killed in crocodile attack while bathing in pond

ROORKEE: A crocodile fatally attacked a 13-year-old boy while he was bathing in a pond near Banjarewala village in Haridwar district, police said on Friday.

The Class VII student had gone to the water body -- formed along the riverbed of the Sukro river -- on Thursday to take a dip with friends. When he did not return, his family launched a search. His mutilated body was found floating in the pond on Friday morning, triggering panic in the village.

Buggawala police station in-charge Ankur Sharma said, “The body has been handed over to the family after the autopsy. Preliminary investigation suggests the boy was dragged underwater by a crocodile, but confirmation is awaited.”

At the time of filing this report, a forest department team had reached the spot and begun a search to trace the reptile and relocate it.

Villagers said the river is seasonal, and sand and gravel mining in the riverbed often leaves behind deep pits that fill with water, forming pond-like structures.

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