Poonch, Jun 30: A nine-year-old girl has drowned while taking bath in a river in her native village in Bedar area of Mandi in Poonch district on Wednesday afternoon. 

Reports said that Aasiya Bano daughter of Mohammad Shareef was part of a group taking bath inside the water body. The minor girl soon after went missing from the sight of other fellows, prompting the latter to raise an alarm.

A rescue operation has been in the meantime launched from Saujiyan towards Mandi to trace the girl.

SHO Mandi confirming the incident said that efforts are underway to trace the girl. gns