Ludhiana, July 28 -- Three devotees, including a woman and two children, died and three others were feared drowned as a pickup vehicle plunged into the Sirhind canal near Jageda bridge in Malaud in Ludhiana district on Sunday night. Around 20 devotees were returning after paying obeisance at Mata Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh.

Police officials, who launched a rescue operation with the help of local residents, said most of the devotees were rescued. Divers fished out three bodies and around three are missing, they said.

Deputy superintendent of police (Payal) Hemant Malhotra said the incident occurred around 10 pm when the vehicle ferrying at least 20 devotees plunged into the canal. Eyewitnesses raised alarm and alerted the poli...