A tourist guide showed the true spirit of Kashmiriyat as he saved five people including two foreign tourists from drowning in fast-flowing Lidder River near Mawoora area of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

The Braveheart lost the battle for life in rescuing others after a boat capsized and his body was retrieved from the river near Bhawani Bridge today morning, the day after his heroics.

Body of the tourist guide namely Rouf Ahmad Dar, a resident of Yeened was retrieved from the river near Bhawani Bridge this morning by the sleuths of SDRF, Police and LOCAL volunteers.

“He showed real spirit of humanity and Kashmiriyat by saving five persons including two tourists at the cost of his own life,” locals told news agency.

“The Braveheart deserves all praises for sacrificing himself for others,” they said and urged the government to recognize the bravery of Dar and provide due compensation to his family.

Confirming the retrieving Dar’s body, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Khalid Jahangir also praised the deceased.

“Body of the brave tourist guide Rouf Ahmad Dar, who while successfully saving 5 tourists including 2 foreigners lost his own life in the true spirit of trademark Kashmiri hospitality, was retrieved near Bhawani Bridge from Lidder,” he said.

The body has been handed over to the family for last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities, he said.

Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam when contacted also praised Dar for his bravery and said that he has directed the concerned officers to provide all possible assistance and compensation to the family of the Braveheart. (GNS)