RAWALPINDI: Navy divers and rescue teams have still not recovered the bodies of three children, including a four-year-old girl, who were swept away in a nullah during heavy rain in Dhoke Khabba a week ago.

The missing children’s grandfather, Zulfiqar Shah, told Dawn that the Navy divers had joined the search operation on Thursday but could not find any clue to the missing children.

“We will carry out a parallel search in water along the rescuers because their searches have not produced any result so far,” said Mr Shah.

He said parents, especially mothers, of Shad Hussain, 7, Farhan Malik, 7, and four-year-old Zahra were distraught at the disappearance of their loved ones.

He said all the three cousins were studying in prep and nursery classes at APS Chaklala III. The father of Shad, who was in Malaysia to earn his livelihood, has also returned.

A man standing on the rooftop of a neighbouring house had seen the three cousins playing close to the nullah when he saw one of them slipping into the water and the others trying to catch each other. Parents and relatives of the children on Thursday held a protest sit-in at Committee Chowk and then marched on Murree Road causing traffic before gathering outside the local press club.

The protesters chanted slogans, tore banners and advertisements of political leaders contesting the general elections and demanded the authorities concerned to get help from the Navy to recover the children.

However, senior police officers reached the scene and held talks with the protesters and assured them that their demand would be met. The protesters then dispersed.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2018