Pulwama, May 1 (JKNS): An atmosphere of deep grief and sorrow prevailed in Tiken village of Pulwama on Friday as the body of four-year-old Mohammad Hanzala, who had gone missing after slipping into the Rambiara stream in Shopian, was finally laid to rest after being recovered following six days of relentless search.
As per news agency JKNS, the minor had accidentally fallen into the fast-flowing stream near Dubjan Bridge on April 27 and was swept away by strong currents, triggering a massive multi-agency rescue operation.
The body was retrieved on Friday morning from a downstream location in the Rambiara stream in Hirpora area, bringing an end to days of anxious waiting and shattered hope for the family.
The funeral witnessed heart-rending scenes as hundreds of mourners, including relatives, neighbours, and people from adjoining areas, gathered to offer prayers and participate in the last rites. The inconsolable family members broke down repeatedly, while the entire village stood united in grief.
Eyewitnesses said the funeral turned into a moment of collective mourning, with people expressing anguish over the tragic loss of an innocent life. “It is unbearable. The entire village was praying for his safe return, but fate had something else written,” a local resident said.
Officials said that teams from Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, Army, and local volunteers had carried out extensive search operations day and night, battling strong currents and difficult terrain to trace the missing child.
Religious clerics and locals prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the Valley, with people expressing condolences and calling for increased safety measures around water bodies to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in future.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the tragedy.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, “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.”
He further said, “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.”
The tragic incident has evoked widespread grief across the Valley, with people expressing condolences and solidarity with the bereaved family. (JKNS)
