Srinagar, April 30: In a quiet village of south Kashmir, time seems to have stood still for five days.
Four-year-old Mohammad Hanzala slipped into the fast-flowing waters of the Rambiara stream near Dubjan Bridge in Shopian. Since then, the river has carried more than just water — it has carried a family’s hope, a village’s prayers, and a silence that grows heavier with each passing day.
Today marks the fifth day of the search. The child remains missing.
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The incident occurred on Sunday when the boy, originally from Pulwama, lost his balance near the bank and was swept away by strong currents.
A massive multi-agency rescue operation has been underway since then. Teams from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF and NDRF are continuously searching the stream. Specialized equipment is being used to scan deeper sections, while experienced civilian rescuers, including a body retriever from Doda, have joined the effort.
Officials say fluctuating water levels, slippery terrain, and strong currents are making the operation extremely challenging. The search radius has been extended downstream, but there has been no breakthrough so far.
“We are continuing with full intensity, but the conditions are very challenging,” an official said.
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For the family, this is no longer just a search — it is an unbearable wait. The pain is not only of loss, but of uncertainty.
Locals say the family remains shattered, holding on to hope and prayers.“There is no closure… just a wait that doesn’t end,” a resident said.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns over safety measures around water bodies in Kashmir.
Leaders, including Waheed Para, have visited the site and appealed to Manoj Sinha to extend support and ensure all possible resources are deployed.
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As the fifth day ends, the river continues to flow — and a family continues to wait, caught between hope and heartbreak.
