A four-year-old boy who fell into a newly dug well while playing near his home in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district was safely rescued after an intensive, nine-hour operation involving several rescue agencies and local volunteers, officials said.
The incident took place on Friday evening (May 15, 2026) in Chak Samana village, located near Bhikhowal along the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road.
The boy, identified as Gurkaran Singh, was trapped inside the borehole at a depth of around 20 to 30 feet, officials said.
Paramedics pulled him out around 12:40 p.m. and immediately took him to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
When he was rescued, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) personnel carried him in their arms. Although the boy’s face was covered in soil, he looked stable.
The child’s family and villagers gave a big hug to the NDRF personnel and other rescuers and thanked them for their efforts in the entire rescue operation.
NDRF Deputy Commander Pankaj Sharma told PTI Videos that the child’s condition is stable. He noted that the rescue operation was challenging due to the loose ground that kept collapsing. “Our rescuers made a commendable effort throughout the rescue operation,” he said.
Officials said the operation was a joint effort involving teams from the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Punjab Police, district administration officials, fire brigade and local volunteers.
Punjab Minister Ravjot Singh and AAP MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal remained at the site throughout the rescue operation and monitored the efforts.
Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain said the administration swung into action immediately after receiving information about the incident around 4 pm.
She said the child slipped into an open well adjacent to the family home.
According to the officials, the well was recently commissioned and the work of backfilling with gravel and soil around it is still pending.
Ms Jain said rescue teams first lowered a camera and an oxygen pipe into the well to monitor the baby’s condition and provide oxygen.
“The baby’s movements were initially visible on the footage, which helped rescuers assess the situation,” she said.
Officials said loose soil later fell into the well, making it difficult to monitor the camera and complicating the operation.
The deputy commissioner said rescuers dug a parallel pit to a depth of about 25 to 30 feet before creating a narrow tunnel to reach the child safely.
Officials said heavy machinery, including earth-moving equipment, was provided by the administration and local villagers.
They described the soil as sandy, which presented a challenge as it collapsed repeatedly. Care was taken to use the machine with care and to ensure that the soil did not fall on the child and endanger his safety.
Ms. Jain said more than 40 members of the NDRF were involved in the rescue efforts.
She thanked the NDRF, SDRF, Punjab Police, civil administration officials, medical teams, volunteers and local residents for their coordinated efforts and determination to ensure the safe rescue of the child.
Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Malik lauded the rescue teams and said their dedication and teamwork were crucial in saving the child’s life.
Earlier during the operation, the administration also called the child’s mother to the scene and asked her to speak to him so that he would hear a familiar voice and remain calm.
Oxygen was supplied to him through a pipe into the well.
Minister Ravjot Singh said medical and rescue teams remained on alert throughout the operation to provide immediate treatment to the child after the rescue.
Describing it as a highly sensitive and demanding rescue mission, MP Chabbewal said the continuous efforts of all agencies helped the operation to succeed.
A large number of local residents gathered near the site as rescue teams continued operations overnight.
Published – 16 May 2026 03:25 IST
