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In Hoshiarpur, Punjab, a four-year-old boy fell into a newly dug borewell while playing near his home, prompting a dramatic nine-hour rescue operation that involved various agencies and local volunteers. The incident took place on Friday night in Chak Samana village, close to Bhikhowal along the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road.

The child, named Gurkaran Singh, was trapped approximately 20 to 30 feet deep in the borewell. Rescuers successfully extracted him around 12:40 AM and rushed him to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Upon his rescue, a member of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) carried Gurkaran, who, despite being covered in dirt, appeared to be in stable condition. His family and local villagers expressed immense gratitude to the rescuers for their relentless efforts.

Deputy Commandant of the NDRF, Pankaj Sharma, shared that the operation was particularly challenging due to the unstable soil that kept collapsing. He praised the rescuers for their dedication throughout the operation.

The rescue was a joint effort involving the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Punjab Police, district officials, fire brigade personnel, and local volunteers. Punjab Minister Ravjot Singh and AAP MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal were present at the scene, overseeing the operation.

Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain reported that the administration acted swiftly after being informed of the incident around 4 PM. She noted that the child had fallen into an open borewell adjacent to his family's residence.

Officials indicated that the borewell had recently been made operational, with work to fill it with gravel and soil still pending. To monitor Gurkaran's condition, rescuers initially lowered a camera and oxygen pipe into the borewell.

Initially, the child's movements were visible on the footage, aiding the rescuers in assessing the situation. However, loose soil later fell into the borewell, complicating the operation.

Rescuers dug a parallel pit to a depth of about 25 to 30 feet and created a narrow tunnel to safely reach the boy. Heavy machinery was utilized, with care taken to prevent soil from collapsing onto Gurkaran.

More than 40 NDRF personnel participated in the rescue, and Deputy Commissioner Jain expressed her appreciation for the coordinated efforts of all involved, including medical teams and local volunteers.

Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Malik commended the teamwork that was crucial in saving the child's life. During the operation, the child's mother was brought to the site to speak with him, providing comfort through her familiar voice.

Oxygen was supplied to Gurkaran via a pipe, and Minister Ravjot Singh confirmed that medical teams were on standby to provide immediate care post-rescue. MP Chabbewal described the mission as sensitive and challenging, emphasizing the continuous efforts that led to its success.

A large crowd of locals gathered at the site as the rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night.