by Suhail Rather
An unbearable silence descended over Hajin on Friday as thousands of mourners gathered to bid farewell to three young cousins who drowned in the River Jhelum while washing tent equipment along its banks, turning an ordinary working day into one of the darkest tragedies the town has witnessed in recent years.
Among the deceased was Aadil Ahmad, a young father whose six-month-old child will now grow up without ever truly knowing him. He leaves behind his grieving widow, three sisters and a family that relied entirely on his modest earnings for survival.
According to relatives, the three cousins had gone to the riverbank in Hajin to wash tent material when one of them accidentally slipped into the fast-flowing waters. In a desperate attempt to save him, the other two jumped into the river, but within moments, the strong currents swept all three away.
“They went there to earn a livelihood and help one another, never imagining they were walking towards death,” a relative said, struggling to hold back tears.
As news of the tragedy spread, panic and grief gripped the town. Hundreds of residents rushed towards the riverbanks while rescue teams and locals launched frantic efforts to retrieve the bodies. By evening, sorrow had engulfed every lane and household of Hajin.
The most heart-rending scenes unfolded when Aadil’s body was brought home.
His sisters broke down inconsolably, running towards the coffin and crying out his name as mourners struggled to comfort them. One of them, overwhelmed with grief, screamed before the crowd, “He was our only brother… now who will look after us? I will shoulder his coffin myself.”
Women wailed inside the small courtyard of the family home while neighbours stood in silence, unable to find words strong enough to ease the pain.
Relatives said Aadil had already endured immense hardships in life. After the death of his mother years ago, he had become the sole support for his sisters and family, carrying the burden of the household on his young shoulders.
“He worked day and night for his family. Everything depended on him,” a relative said.
Another among the deceased had recently gotten engaged in a nearby village and was preparing for his wedding, relatives added, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking.
On Friday morning, thousands attended the funeral prayers for the trio. As their coffins were carried through the streets towards the graveyard, emotional scenes unfolded across Hajin.
Men struggled to hold back tears while women watched helplessly from windows and doorsteps, mourning the loss of three young lives cut short in a matter of moments.
Residents described the incident as a tragedy that has shaken the entire town to its core.
“The river did not take away just three boys,” an elderly mourner said softly. “It destroyed dreams, families and futures.” (KNS)
