DC Shopian commends rescue teams, volunteers for unified efforts in operation
PULWAMA/SHOPIAN (KIMS) — Thousands of people on Friday participated in the funeral prayers of 4-year-old Mohammad Hanzala of Tiken Batpora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after his body was retrieved from Heerpora area of Shopian following a five-day-long search operation.
Mohammad Hanzala had gone missing on April 27 after he slipped and fell into the fast-flowing Rambiara Nallah near Dubjan Bridge in Shopian district during a family picnic. The strong current swept the minor away, prompting authorities to launch a massive rescue operation.
Soon after the incident, teams of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, NDRF, Indian Army and local volunteers launched an extensive search operation to trace the missing child. Special machines were also brought in to search deeper sections of the nallah, while an expert body retriever from Doda was called to assist in the operation.
After relentless efforts for five days, the body of the minor was finally retrieved from Heerpora in Shopian on Friday.
Following the recovery, Mohammad Hanzala’s body was taken to his native village Tiken Batpora in Pulwama, where heartbreaking scenes unfolded as grief-stricken residents gathered in large numbers to receive him.
A pall of gloom descended over the area, with mourners in tears participating in his Namaz-e-Janaza, reflecting widespread sorrow over the tragic death of the minor boy.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Shishir Gupta (IAS), commended the collective efforts of all agencies and individuals involved in the extensive rescue operation.
He expressed heartfelt appreciation and deep gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, NDRF, and the Indian Army for their relentless and coordinated efforts in recovering the body from Rambiara Stream.
The Deputy Commissioner also conveyed special gratitude to the general public and volunteers from various NGOs who stood shoulder to shoulder with the administration during the operation, saying their dedication and support proved instrumental throughout the rescue operation.
On behalf of the District Administration, he expressed deepest condolences to the bereaved family of Mohammad Hanzala and prayed for strength and patience for them to bear the irreparable loss. — (KIMS)