Indian Army Recovers Body of Havildar Pankaj After 12-Day Search Near Joshimath’s Tamak Nala

The Indian Army has recovered the body of Havildar Pankaj after a 12-day search near Tamak Nala in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath area, ending an intensive rescue effort that began after he was swept away by floodwaters and debris following heavy rain in the Niti Valley region.

Pankaj was a driver with the 123 Road Construction Company (RCC) of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). According to the Ministry of Defence’s Dehradun regional PRO, he was swept away while trying to save fellow passengers. His disappearance triggered a large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, or HADR, operation by the Indian Army.

The search went on for nearly two weeks in harsh conditions. Rescue teams had to work through strong currents, unstable ground, difficult heights, debris and bad weather as they combed the area around Tamak Nala for traces of the missing soldier.

His body was recovered on August 22, bringing the operation to a close and giving his family and comrades the closure they had been waiting for since he went missing.

The heavy rainfall that led to the incident also caused water levels to rise suddenly in the area and washed away a Bailey bridge built by the BRO over Tamak Nala. The bridge was part of the strategically important Jyotirmath-Malari/Niti motor road, which provides connectivity towards forward areas in the region.

The incident prompted a coordinated response from several agencies. Indian Army teams worked alongside the BRO, Garhwal Rifles, district administration, police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the search effort.

Search parties systematically examined debris fields, water channels, riverbanks and other locations around Tamak Nala as they tried to trace the missing personnel.

Despite the risks posed by the terrain and the weather, the Army’s HADR teams remained engaged throughout the operation. Access to several areas remained difficult, but the search continued without interruption until the body was found.

The Dehradun regional PRO described the recovery as the fulfilment of a promise made by Pankaj’s comrades to bring him home. The message also reflected the Army’s emphasis on not leaving its personnel behind in times of crisis.

Pankaj’s service with 123 RCC placed him among those supporting road infrastructure and connectivity in the Himalayan region, where BRO personnel often operate in demanding and hazardous conditions. The incident also highlights the risks involved in maintaining and developing infrastructure in areas vulnerable to extreme weather and sudden surges in water levels.

The 12-day operation showed the scale of coordination possible between military and civil disaster-response agencies when emergencies unfold in remote and difficult terrain. With the recovery on August 22, Pankaj’s family has finally received closure after a prolonged and painful wait.