Two years ago, on April 16, 2024, Kashmir woke to an ordinary morning. By noon, it was mourning. The Gandbal-Batwara boat tragedy lasted only minutes in the waters of the Jhelum, but its impact stretched across months and years. What happened that day became more than a disaster; it became a symbol of delay, loss, waiting and grief.
Residents of Gandbal, Batwara and nearby areas had for years relied on small boats to cross the Jhelum. The two banks were close, but the nearest bridge was far, forcing people to choose between a long route or a risky shortcut. Locals have repeatedly said that an under-construction footbridge has remained delayed for years.
Children used the crossing to reach schools, workers used it for jobs, while women used it for daily errands. Over time, risk had become routine.
April 16, 2024 — morning turns into horror
On the morning of April 16, a routine ferry boat carrying locals and schoolchildren entered the Jhelum near Gandbal-Batwara.
After making a few regular trips, the boat reportedly struck a pillar of the under-construction bridge and overturned. The boat, carrying men, women and children, lost balance in the current and capsized within moments. School bags, books, slippers and shawls were later seen floating in the river.
Chaos on both banks
Locals immediately rushed into the water. Some swam toward children, some used ropes, while others shouted names into the river.
Rescue teams from SDRF, NDRF, police and MARCOS were mobilised. Parents who had sent their children to school arrived at the riverbank to scenes no family could imagine.
Same day evening — Kashmir counts the dead
As rescue operations continued, reports of deaths and missing persons started emerging.
As bodies were retrieved throughout the day, the scale of the tragedy became clearer. Children were among those killed, and the incident sent shockwaves across Kashmir, triggering mourning and anger.
Questions begin
Soon after the tragedy, questions began to arise. Why were people still crossing like this in 2024? Why had the bridge remained incomplete? Why does action come only after loss? Locals openly linked the tragedy to years of delay in infrastructure.
Search operations continued in the Jhelum in the following days. Several bodies were recovered, but Showkat Ahmad Sheikh, a 40-year-old mason from Gandbal, remained missing.
For most families, burial marked the beginning of grief. For his family, grief could not begin properly.
“We had been demanding the bridge for years. It came only after lives were lost,” Zubair Ahmad, a local resident said.
Mid to late 2024 — a family still waiting
As public attention faded, one family remained trapped in the events of April 16.
No body meant no burial. No grave meant no place to sit and pray. His ailing mother kept asking for updates and waiting for news from the river. Following public uproar, the under-construction footbridge near the accident site was completed in the following months.
For many locals, the completion brought mixed emotions, as what could have prevented deaths came only after the tragedy.
April 16, 2025 — one year later
When the first anniversary arrived, most families marked the day with prayers at the graves.
But Showkat Ahmad’s family still had no grave to visit. His mother’s health had weakened, while uncertainty continued inside the home. Though one year had passed, for the family, April 16 had never ended.
Year later, January 11–19, 2026 — grim discovery
During sand extraction in the river stretch, partial human remains were found, including a foot later identified by the family through footwear
This led authorities to intensify searches. MARCOS and SDRF resumed underwater scanning and dredging operations in the river.
January 19, 2026 — the last victim returns
On January 19, 2026, the mortal remains of Showkat Ahmad Sheikh were recovered from the Jhelum. With this, the longest unfinished chapter of the tragedy came to an end.
His remains were later buried, and final rites were performed. For the family, the waiting ended that day.
Mother performs Umrah
Family sources said that the ailing mother later travelled for Umrah after the son’s burial.
Those close to the family said she carried prayers for her son and for all those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Today marks exactly two years since the Gandbal tragedy, not three. The bridge now stands. The missing man was found. The final burial was completed. Yet for the affected families, mornings remain divided into two parts—before the boat and after the boat.
“The bridge stands now, but those who died will not return,” said Tawkeer Ahmad, a neighbor.
