Indian Army Ensures Return of Mortal Remains of Two Missing Youths from POJK

Srinagar, March 22, 2025 — In a humanitarian effort, the Indian Army coordinated with determination. They successfully facilitated this mission. They returned the mortal remains of two missing youths from Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). The tragic incident involved a young boy and girl from Uri, Baramulla district, who were reported missing earlier this month. 

Key Highlights: 

– Tragic drowning: Two youths from Uri drowned in the Jhelum River on March 5. 

– Cross-border drift: Strong currents carried one body into POJK, requiring coordination with Pakistani authorities. 

– Dignified return: Mortal remains were returned to India on March 22, enabling families to conduct final rites.

Tragic Incident in Uri

On March 5, 2025, two local residents drowned in the swift waters of the Jhelum River. They were Yasir Hussain Shah from Busgran, Uri, and Asiya Bano from Kundi Barjala, Uri. The local district administration immediately sought the assistance of the Indian Army. Responding without delay, the Army, in collaboration with the MARCOS (Marine Commandos), launched a large-scale and challenging search operation. 

Search Operation and Cross-Border Challenge

After days of relentless efforts, the search teams located the body of Yasir Hussain Shah on March 20, 2025. It was found in the river. The team tried their best to retrieve the body. However, strong currents carried it across the Line of Control into the Chakothi sector of POJK. This development required delicate cross-border coordination. 

Diplomatic and Humanitarian Efforts

In a rare example of cross-border humanitarian cooperation, the Indian Army initiated communication with Pakistani officials. This was done to ensure the retrieval of the mortal remains. These discussions led to a formal handover. This took place at the Kaman Aman Setu border point in the Uri sector. The date was March 22, 2025. The remains of both Yasir Hussain Shah and Asiya Bano were returned to the Indian side with dignity and respect. 

Final Rites and Community Response

The bodies were handed over to their grieving families, allowing them to perform the last rites according to their customs. The bereaved families expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for their tireless efforts. They appreciated their compassion and commitment to bringing their loved ones home.