BANDIPORA, Aug 12(KNS): Renowned volunteer diver Abu Hamza (Hamza Sheikh) has arrived in Bandipora to assist the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Police and local teams in the ongoing search operation for a man feared drowned in Nalla Madhumati.

 

Hamza Sheikh, known for providing voluntary river-diving and body-recovery assistance during drowning tragedies, has travelled to Bandipora to support the rescue teams in tracing the missing man. He has been involved in similar voluntary search and recovery efforts across Jammu and Kashmir.

 

The search operation was launched after 31-year-old Showkat Ahmad Gujjar, son of Mohammad Gulab Gujjar, a resident of Yali Bonakoot, went missing on August 10, 2026, near the Nalla Madhumati water channel in the Natipora area of Bandipora.

 

Officials suspect that Showkat may have drowned in the water channel after his trousers and identity card were recovered from the riverbank, strengthening apprehensions that he may have fallen into the water.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

A joint search and rescue operation is currently being conducted by SDRF Bandipora, Bandipora Police and an additional specialised SDRF team dispatched from the Battalion Headquarters in Srinagar.

 

Volunteer diver Hamza Sheikh has also been called upon by locals to assist with the underwater search and retrieval efforts. Teams are continuing the operation despite challenging conditions, with efforts focused on tracing Showkat and bringing the search to a conclusion.

 

The search operation remains underway as authorities and volunteers continue their efforts to locate the missing man.(KNS).