Bandipora: Four days after 10 year old Momin Ashiq disappeared into Nallah Madumati in Bandipora, the search for the young boy continued on Sunday, while his mother remained by the river, waiting for her son to come home.
Momin went missing near the Kaloosa bridge after he slipped into the water while trying to retrieve a cricket ball. Since then, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and MARCOS commandos, along with local volunteers, have been searching the river and surrounding areas.
But there was still no trace of the Class 4 student as of September 13. Momin, the son of Ashiq Hussain Ganai of Ganai Mohalla in Kaloosa, had gone out at around 6:30 pm for a walk with a friend.
According to the report Momin saw a cricket ball in the water and went towards it. He managed to reach the ball and threw it back to his friend. While returning, he lost his footing and fell into the stream.
His friend raised the alarm, but the strong current quickly carried Momin away. His sister was also nearby and had called out to him shortly before he disappeared. Since that evening, the riverbank has become a place of waiting for Momin’s family.
His mother Shaheena has remained near the river as rescue teams continue their search. A tent has also been put up along the bank, where relatives and villagers have gathered. Momin is the only son in the family and has four sisters.
For his family and neighbours, the 10 year old is remembered as a bright and active child. He studied in Class 4 at the local Government Middle School and had recently been felicitated for taking part in a dance performance at an Independence Day programme. He was also fond of horse riding.
The search operation has continued for four days, with rescuers and volunteers checking the waters of Nallah Madumati and nearby stretches.
For Shaheena, however, every passing hour has brought the same painful wait. She continues to sit by the river, hoping that the next call from the search teams will finally bring news of her son.
As of September 13, Momin remains missing and the search operation is continuing.
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