Banihal, May 02: The body of a 22-year-old youth, missing for nearly 20 days, was recovered on Saturday from Nallah Bishlari near Kraalna Digdool in Ramban district, bringing a tragic end to an extensive multi-agency search operation.

The deceased has been identified as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan, son of Abdul Salam Chopan and a resident of Mundkhal Pogal. He had reportedly gone missing on April 12 after allegedly jumping into the stream near Makarkoot along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway while attempting to escape from a group of suspected cow vigilantes.

According to reports, Tanveer was travelling from Jammu with a milch cow and two calves when he was allegedly intercepted and chased by a group of individuals in two vehicles near Digdool. Fearing for his life, he reportedly leapt into Nallah Bishlari and remained untraced since.

Soon after the incident, a massive search operation was launched by the police and local volunteers, later joined by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, QRT Ramban, Himalayan QRT, Ramsoo, QRT Khari , NGO Banihal Volunteers, Red Cross Banihal, and Doda-based NGO Ababeel. Despite treacherous terrain and strong water currents, the search continued relentlessly for 20 days.

Officials said the body was finally spotted in the stream near Digdool on Saturday and subsequently retrieved by rescue teams. The body, which was in a decomposed state, is being shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Police have already registered a case in connection with the incident and arrested four accused persons—Surjeet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Digvijay Singh, and Keval Singh, all residents of Ramban town and adjoining Seri areas.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by SDPO Banihal Surinder Singh Biloria, has been constituted to probe the case. “The body has been recovered from the Digdool area and is being taken to hospital for legal formalities,” the SDPO Banihal Surinder Singh Biloria said, adding that further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked grief and outrage among the victim’s family, who alleged that the chase and harassment led to his death. They have demanded a fair and impartial investigation along with strict action against those responsible.

Doda, May 02: The Doda–Kishtwar road was blocked after a major landslide hit Gatsoo near Pul Doda on Saturday morning, officials said.

An official said that the road was blocked due to debris and large boulders at the site.

He said men and machinery have been deployed to clear the road, but restoration is likely to take time. “The road will be reopened for traffic only after the debris is cleared and it is declared safe,” he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway due to the blockade. —(KNO)

Jammu, May 2: Three labourers were killed when a portion of an old bridge suddenly collapsed while undergoing retention work in the Thathar area of Bantalab on the outskirts of Jammu on Friday (May 1, 2026) evening.

One local mason, who too was among four trapped under the debris, however, was safely rescued.

The retrieval of three bodies was confirmed by the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who late Friday evening – at around 11 pm or so, visited the mishap site.

While expressing sorrow over the death of three labourers in the incident, Choudhary said that four people were trapped, out of whom one was rescued alive.

He informed that disciplinary action was taken against the officials involved and an inquiry was also instituted to ascertain the cause behind the incident.

Choudhary stated that two officials were suspended and one was attached, while the contractor was also blacklisted. Rescue operation was still underway, he said.

Earlier BJP MLA and former minister Sham Sharma, who had reached the spot immediately, while speaking to Greater Kashmir, informed that one mason, out of four trapped, was rescued alive.

Bantalab is part of Jammu North constituency, represented by Sham Lal Sharma in J&K Legislative Assembly.

“The rescue teams retrieved the body of one of the trio – all from Chhattisgarh, trapped under the debris. Though it was heartening to note that Tarsem Lal of Kanachak in Marh was rescued safely. He was working as a mason there. Operation was still on to trace the other two labourers,” he said.

Late in the evening, two more bodies were retrieved, thus taking the toll of dead in the incident to three.

Earlier, while speaking to media persons on the spot, Sharma said, “This old bridge was damaged in August floods with its foundations badly exposed. Presently the work to construct its retaining wall was on. Probably traffic was not stopped on the bridge. Few people (labourers) are trapped. Rescue operation is underway. We pray for safe rescue of all those trapped.”

The bridge, constructed at the turn of this century, was extensively damaged during flash floods in August last year.

Eye-witnesses stated that several labourers were engaged in construction activities when a portion of the bridge gave way, creating a chaos-like situation.

Police and civil administration officials immediately reached the spot and started the rescue operation.

Heavy machinery, including JCB and other machines, was being used in the rescue operation. Locals were also part of the rescue operation. They were, in fact, first responders to the situation.

Soon after, the NDRF, SDRF and army personnel too joined the rescue operation. The Army used its advanced machines while undertaking rescue efforts very cautiously to maximise chances of survival of trapped labourers.

As per the account shared by locals and the families of affected labourers, around six persons were trapped.

“Out of them, two labourers, probably not fully trapped, somehow, managed to escape themselves with minor injuries. One person, a local, was rescued alive by the teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF, army and Police engaged in (rescue) operation. He was rushed to the hospital where he was stated to be stable. Three persons were still feared trapped under the debris,” locals had shared.

By late Friday evening, the bodies of all three trapped labourers were retrieved.

Rescue operation was not stopped despite the fall of dusk. The Army, NDRF, SDRF personnel remained on the job using light and other equipment used for night-long operations.