Body of Gandbal boat capsize victim recovered after 2 years

Srinagar, Jan 19: Nearly two years after the Gandbal boat capsize incident left a family suspended between hope and heartbreak, the river Jhelum on Monday finally yielded what it had concealed for long! The body of Showkat Ahmad, missing since April 16, 2024 mishap, was retrieved from the same stretch of the river at Batwara’s Gandbal area, reviving memories of a tragedy that had scarred an entire neighbourhood.

Locals said that the recovery took place in the afternoon when sand extractors working along the riverbank noticed a body lodged in the sand. Within minutes, word spread and residents, relatives, and neighbours rushed to the spot. As the remains were pulled out and placed on a sand extraction boat, the banks of the Jhelum echoed with sobs, prayers, and emotional slogans.

A local elder standing among the gathering crowd said the moment carried both grief and relief. “For two years, this river was our witness and our tormentor. We had almost lost hope, but somewhere we believed he would return to his family one day, even if lifeless,” he said.

Showkat Ahmad was among the eight victims of the Gandbal boat tragedy, when an overloaded boat capsized in the same stretch of the river. While other bodies were recovered after an extensive multi-agency operation, Showkat’s body remained missing, leaving his family unable to perform his last rites.

Adding to the tragedy was the fact that Showkat had been travelling with his young son on the fateful day. According to the family, when the boat began to sink, Showkat tried desperately to rescue his child. Both father and son drowned.  Showkat was the lone brother of  five sisters

On Monday, witnesses present at the site said they were certain about the identity. “We found his identity card, PAN card, and even a mobile phone with the body. After seeing these belongings, we were convinced the body is of Showkat,” a sand extractor said.

Locals said the body appeared largely intact, stunning many who had given up hope after such a long time. “So many search operations were carried out by divers, machines, everything. Nothing worked. But today we finally had a closure,” said another local. The recent discovery of the shoe had prompted authorities to deploy MARCOS marine commandos for a renewed search. Locals said Showkat’s mother, who had often been seen visiting the riverbank over the past two years, broke down at the sight, locals said. “She never stopped coming here. She used to ask the river to return her son. Today her prayers were answered, but most painfully,” a resident recalled. “

When contacted, Masrat Ahmad, the concerned SHO, said the police were following due protocol. “We are ascertaining the facts, but the body likely is that of Showkat Ahmad, who drowned two years back,” he said. “Our teams are on the ground to ensure that the identification is done perfectly and all medico-legal formalities are completed as per protocol.”