The body of a five-year-old boy who died in the 2005 earthquake has been recovered more than two decades later during excavation work in Balakot. The discovery has brought long-awaited closure to a family that searched for their missing child for months after the disaster.
The child, identified as Jamal Shafiq, was buried under the rubble of his family home when the 2005 earthquake struck on October 8, 2005. Despite repeated search efforts, his body could not be found at the time.
According to local reports, the remains were discovered on Monday when workers began excavation work to rebuild the family’s old house. During the digging process, workers first noticed the child’s clothes beneath the debris.
After finding the clothing, they carefully removed the remaining rubble and recovered the body. The discovery ended more than 21 years of uncertainty for the family.
Funeral prayers were offered for Jamal after the recovery. He was later laid to rest in a nearby cemetery in the presence of family members and local residents.
Jamal’s father, Qari Shafiqur Rehman, said the family searched continuously for several months after the tragedy. However, they eventually stopped searching after losing hope of finding the child’s remains.
He said the recovery has finally given the family peace after decades of grief and unanswered questions. According to Rehman, being able to give his son a proper burial has eased the emotional burden carried by the family for many years.
The 2005 earthquake remains the deadliest natural disaster in Pakistan’s history. The powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck on October 8, 2005, causing widespread destruction across northern Pakistan.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located near Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. However, the impact extended far beyond the region, severely affecting several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Balakot was among the worst-hit towns during the disaster. Thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and public buildings collapsed within seconds, leaving entire communities devastated.
According to official figures, the earthquake claimed more than 73,000 lives. More than 128,000 people were injured, while nearly 3.5 million people were displaced from their homes.
The disaster also caused massive damage to infrastructure, making rescue and relief operations extremely difficult. Many victims remained trapped under collapsed buildings for days before rescue teams reached affected areas.
The latest discovery serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of the 2005 earthquake on countless families across Pakistan. Even after more than two decades, many survivors continue to carry painful memories of the tragedy.
In other news read more about Kohat Roof Collapse Death Toll Rises to 11 After Two More Victims Die
For Jamal’s family, the recovery of his remains marks the end of a long and emotional chapter. After years of uncertainty, they have finally been able to perform his funeral and lay him to rest with dignity, bringing a sense of closure after one of Pakistan’s most devastating natural disasters.
