Six Members of Lahore Family Killed in Saifullah Lake Boat Tragedy; Eyewitness Says Father Stayed Back to Protect His Children

Swat: A tragic boating accident at Saifullah Lake in the Mahodand area of Swat claimed the lives of six members of a Lahore family, while one family member remains missing. Eyewitnesses say the family’s head chose to stay with his children instead of attempting to save himself as the boat capsized in fast-flowing water.

The victims included retired Pakistan Navy Lieutenant Commander Amir Aundal, his 20-year-old son Abdullah Aundal, daughters Parwa Aundal, 27, and Ruwail Aundal, 23, as well as Parwa’s two young children. Another daughter, Bushra Aundal, remains missing, and rescue teams continue to search for her.

According to restaurant owner Saad Karim, who said he witnessed the incident, the boat had been pushed into deeper water before its engine was started, as is customary at the lake. However, the engine reportedly failed to start, and the vessel drifted toward a section where the lake’s waters flow rapidly into the Ishu River.

Karim said another launch rushed to assist after the boat operator called for help and urged the passengers to jump aboard the rescue vessel. He claimed the boat operator managed to jump to safety, but the passengers appeared too frightened by the strong current to follow.

“The father appeared ready to jump once, but then turned back to his children,” Karim said. “He gathered all of them in his arms and tried to protect them. Less than a minute later, the boat disappeared beneath the water.”

Another eyewitness, Mustafa Khan, who operates boats at the lake, gave a similar account, saying the father appeared to be doing everything possible to save his children before the boat sank.

The victims were laid to rest in Lahore on Thursday evening.

A police case has been registered at the Kalam Police Station on the complaint of a relative. The complaint alleges that passengers were allowed to board while the boat’s engine was not functioning properly and that the vessel overturned after attempts to start the engine failed.

Police said raids are underway to arrest the suspect named in the case, while investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Rescue 1122 officials confirmed that search operations for the missing woman are continuing.

The allegations contained in the police complaint and eyewitness accounts are part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not yet released their final findings regarding the cause of the accident.