A father and his young son went missing after drowning in Nullah Lai in Rawalpindi on Saturday when the man jumped into the drain in an attempt to save the child, rescue officials said.

According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, the incident occurred near Gulistan Colony, where six-year-old Muhammad Zahid reportedly fell into Nullah Lai while playing.

On seeing his son fall into the fast-flowing drain, the child’s 36-year-old father, Meerban Khan, immediately jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue him.

However, both father and son were swept away by the strong current and remain missing.

A Rescue 1122 official said that water rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene, while ambulances were also sent to provide emergency medical assistance if required.

Authorities later confirmed the identities of the missing father and son, adding that a search and rescue operation was still underway.

Specialist divers are taking part in the operation as rescue teams continue efforts to locate the two amid the strong water flow in Nullah Lai.