GANDERBAL: After a relentless 14-day-long joint search operation, the body of a missing youth was recovered from Nallah Sindh in the Wussan Bella area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Muneer Ahmad Shah, son of Mehboob Shah and a resident of Wussan Bella.

Officials said the extensive rescue operation was carried out jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF teams from Ganderbal, Manasbal and Gund, with active assistance from local volunteers and residents.

The search teams resumed the operation on Thursday morning in the Wussan Bella area following reports that the youth had drowned in the Sindh River nearly two weeks ago.

After continuous efforts for 14 consecutive days under challenging conditions, the body was finally traced and recovered near the area where the youth had reportedly gone missing.

Rescue personnel, along with locals, had been conducting searches across various stretches of the river since the incident was reported.

Following the recovery, the body was shifted for completion of legal and medical formalities, while authorities have initiated further proceedings in the matter. -(KNC)