Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, May 1: Bringing a tragic end to days of anxious waiting, the body of a four-year-old boy from Pulwama, who had slipped into a fast-flowing stream in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, was recovered on Friday morning after an extensive five-day search operation.
Officials said that the deceased, identified as Mohammad Hanzala, a resident of Tiken village in Pulwama, had accidentally fallen into the Ranbiara nallah near Dubjan Bridge on April 26. The strong current of the stream swept the minor away within moments, leaving his family and locals in shock.
“The body was retrieved from a downstream location in the Hirpora area this morning after relentless efforts by multiple rescue teams over the past five days,” an official said.
Soon after the incident, a massive search operation was launched involving teams from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Despite challenging conditions, including strong water currents and difficult terrain, the teams continued their efforts round the clock.
Authorities also deployed specialised equipment to scan deeper sections of the stream, while additional manpower was brought in to widen the search area. In a bid to intensify the operation, expert civilian body retrievers, including a well-known volunteer from Doda, were also engaged.
As news of the recovery reached his native village, a pall of gloom descended over Tiken and adjoining areas. Thousands of mourners gathered to participate in the last rites of the young boy, reflecting the deep sense of grief and solidarity across the community.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the incident.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of young Mohammed Hanzala from Tikken in Pulwama. As the search for the young boy stretched into the sixth day, hope was running out, but it has still been a terrible shock when the unthinkable was confirmed. I join the tens of thousands of Kashmiris in grief at Hanzala’s death. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat and may his family find strength to bear this unimaginable loss,” he said in a post on X.
