MANSEHRA: A man whose body was recovered 28 years after he went missing beneath a glacier was finally laid to rest on Wednesday amid a 10-day humanitarian truce enforced by a local jirga in Kolai-Palas district.

“The family of Naseerudden, whose body emerged from the receding glacier, had migrated to Allai, Battagram, after his brother and a woman were killed for honour 35 years ago. They returned to their native village and buried the body,” Kolai-Palas district police officer Amjad Hussain told Dawn. Naseerudden’s body surfaced only recently after the glacier began receding.

The body was transported to his native Badakot village, where around 100 men from his family and clan attended his funeral.

The local shepherds discovered Naseerudden’s body and his horse and alerted nearby villagers. They initially buried the body at the site, but later contacted the family.

Naseerudden’s body was recovered from receding glacier after 28 years

The family of Naseerudden, including his brother Kaseerudeen, who was with him at the time of the fatal accident, also attended the funeral rites.

In a video statement circulated on social media, Kaseerudden reiterated his long-held claim that his brother, Naseerudden had disappeared following gunshots.

His version was, however, refuted by the DPO, who stated that no FIR had ever been registered. “I was posted in Battagram at the time when the man and his horse were overtaken by a falling glacier,” he said.

Safiullah Kohistani, a resident, alleged the district administration and Rescue 1122 failed to assist the family in retrieving and shifting the body for burial. He said the family brought the body for burial after walking for over four days.

POWER CUTS: Residents of the city and its suburbs have been facing nightlong power cuts for past three days, causing them hardship amid hot weather.

“We were optimistic that the launch of Hazara Electric Supply Company (Hazesco) would bring relief in billing and electric outages, but the situation has worsened,” Fayyaz Solaria, chairman of local traders’ body, told reporters on Wednesday.

In addition to night-time blackouts, unscheduled and prolonged daytime outages have disrupted businesses and households.

“The urban parts, including Neighbourhood Councils 1 to 4, have 100 per cent bill payment record, yet Hazesco fails to ensure uninterrupted electric supply,” Mr Solaria said. “If the current situation continues, traders will be forced to take to streets.”

Sadaqat Ali, a resident of Channia area, said his family had been unable to sleep at night due to power cuts and soaring temperatures.

He urged federal minister for religious affairs Sardar Mohammad Yusuf to raise the issue in the National Assembly.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2025