After nearly two months of searching, the body of Mukhtar Ahmad, a nomadic youth from Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, was recovered on Friday from the Vaishow Nallah near the Mah Bhan area in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, officials confirmed.
Mukhtar had been missing since February 13, along with two others—Riyaz Ahmad Bajad and his younger brother Showkat Ahmad Bajad. The trio had left for Ashmuji, Kulgam, to attend a relative’s function but never arrived. Their mobile phones were switched off, and their sudden disappearance left families and locals deeply worried.
Locals spotted Mukhtar’s body in the stream and quickly informed the police. A team rushed to the scene, retrieved the body, and shifted it to District Hospital Kulgam for legal formalities.
“The search has been ongoing since February. NDRF, SDRF, police, and other authorities had been tirelessly looking for Mukhtar. Today, the search ended with the recovery of his body,” said an official.
On March 16, the bodies of Riyaz and Showkat had already been recovered from the same Vaishow Nallah, sparking fears about Mukhtar’s fate. Their discovery had led to protests by families and local residents, who demanded answers and a proper investigation.
A video has surfaced showing a Kashmir police officer kicking female family members protesting the deaths of two brothers from the Gujjar community in Kulgam. IGP Kashmir said, "We have taken cognizance of the incident, and DIG SKR will investigate the officer's conduct." pic.twitter.com/nsL0Ejorbi
— The Jhelum Post (@TheJhelumPost) March 17, 2025
“These boys were migrant labourers, temporarily staying in Chandian Pajan, Qazigund,” a local resident told The Kashmiriyat. “They were young, honest, and just trying to earn a living. What happened to them is heartbreaking.”
While the recovery brings closure to the families, questions remain unanswered. The police have not yet released any details about the cause of death, and the community is still waiting for clarity.
