Shopian, Apr 29: The search for four-year-old Mohammad Hanzala, who is feared to have drowned in a fast-flowing stream near Dubjan Bridge in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, entered its fourth consecutive day on Wednesday with no trace of the minor found so far.
Hanzala, a resident of Tiken in Pulwama, slipped into the Ranbiara nallah on Sunday after losing balance near the bank. The strong currents swept him away instantly, triggering a massive rescue operation that has continued unabated since then.
Officials said that multiple teams remain engaged in the search operation, combing the stream and its adjoining areas despite difficult conditions.
Rescue teams from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been working round-the-clock, using specialised equipment to scan deeper stretches of the nallah.
Officials said that fluctuating water levels, slippery terrain, and strong currents are posing significant challenges to the operation.
“Despite sustained efforts over the past four days, the child’s body has not been located yet. We are expanding the search radius and focusing on downstream areas as well,” an official associated with the operation said.
Expert civilian rescuers, including renowned body retriever Hamza from Doda, continue to assist the teams in navigating complex sections of the water body. However, there has been no breakthrough so far.
Local residents have also been actively participating in the search, spreading out along the banks and adjoining fields in the hope of spotting any clue. The atmosphere in the area remains tense and grief-stricken, with anxious family members and villagers praying for closure.
Authorities said the search operation will continue with full intensity until the minor is traced, urging people to cooperate and avoid crowding sensitive spots along the stream—(KNO)
