Mysterious Demise of Two Kashmiri Siblings
Decomposed Bodies Discovered in River After Disappearance
In a heartbreaking incident, the decomposed remains of two Kashmiri brothers were found in a river in Kulgam district, J&K, approximately 70km south of Srinagar. The brothers, reported missing since February 13, were identified as Showkat Ahmad Bajad and Riyaz Bajad. They were last spotted with a relative, Mukhtar Ahmad Awan, who remains missing.
Details of the Tragic Incident
- Showkat’s body was found on Sunday near Vishaw, close to the location where Riyaz’s body had been discovered on March 13.
- The brothers were employed at a brick kiln and had attended a wedding in the Mir Bazar area of the same district on the day they went missing.
- Forensic expert Dr Azia Manzoor Bhat determined that Riyaz might have drowned, prompting investigators to consider suicide as a potential cause of death.
Calls for Judicial Inquiry Amid Questions
PDP member Talib Hussain, present during the discovery of Showkat’s body, accused the police of using batons against mourners when they questioned the suicide theory. He demanded a judicial probe into the case, asking, “How could they drown in a river with such low water levels?”
Police Reaction and Continuing Search
DIG (South Kashmir) Javid Iqbal Matoo pledged to investigate allegations of police harassment. However, he emphasized that there was no evidence of foul play in the deaths. “There are no signs of torture on the bodies. Investigators are exploring all possibilities,” he said. NDRF and SDRF teams are currently searching for the third missing individual.
