The Indian Army has recovered the body of Havildar Pankaj after a relentless 12-day search operation near Tamak Nala in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath area, bringing closure to his family after nearly two weeks of intensive search efforts.
Havildar Pankaj, a driver associated with 123 Road Construction Company (RCC) of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), went missing after being swept away by a powerful current of water and debris near Tamak Nala following heavy rainfall in the Niti Valley region.
According to the Ministry of Defence’s Dehradun regional PRO, Pankaj was swept away while attempting to save fellow passengers. Following the incident, Indian Army teams launched a large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation to locate him.
The search continued for 12 days under extremely challenging conditions, with rescue personnel having to contend with strong water currents, unstable terrain, difficult heights, debris and adverse weather.
The body of Havildar Pankaj was ultimately recovered on August 22, marking the conclusion of the intensive search operation and providing much-needed closure to his family and comrades.
The heavy rainfall that triggered the incident also caused a sudden rise in water levels in the area and washed away a Bailey bridge constructed by the BRO over Tamak Nala. The bridge formed part of the strategically important Jyotirmath-Malari/Niti motor road, which provides connectivity towards the forward areas of the region.
The incident had prompted a coordinated search effort involving multiple agencies. Teams from the Indian Army, BRO, Garhwal Rifles, district administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed in the operation.
Rescue teams systematically searched debris fields, water channels, riverbanks and other locations around Tamak Nala in an effort to trace the missing personnel.
The operation continued despite the considerable risks posed by the terrain and weather. The Army’s HADR teams remained engaged throughout the search, maintaining efforts even as difficult conditions complicated access to several areas.
The Dehradun regional PRO described the recovery as the fulfilment of a promise made by Pankaj’s comrades to bring him home. The message highlighted the Army’s commitment to ensuring that its personnel are not abandoned during difficult circumstances.
The recovery of Havildar Pankaj brings an end to a difficult search operation while underscoring the challenging conditions faced by personnel of the Army and BRO while operating in the mountainous terrain of Uttarakhand.
His service with 123 RCC placed him among personnel supporting critical road infrastructure and connectivity in the strategically important Himalayan region. The incident also highlights the risks associated with maintaining and developing infrastructure in areas vulnerable to extreme weather and sudden changes in water levels.
The 12-day operation demonstrated the coordinated efforts of the Army and civilian disaster-response agencies in responding to emergencies in remote and difficult terrain.
With the recovery of Havildar Pankaj on August 22, his family has finally received closure, while his comrades’ efforts reflect the enduring military ethos that every soldier matters and that no comrade is left behind.
