Indian Army recovers Havildar Pankaj's body after 12-day search

The Indian Army has recovered the body of Havildar Pankaj, a BRO driver, after a 12-day search operation. He was swept away by a strong current in a nala in Uttarakhand's Joshimath area while reportedly saving fellow passengers.

Indian Army recovers body of Havildar Pankaj after 12-day search in Joshimath's Tamak Nala (Photo/X@PRODefDehradun)

Body of Missing Soldier Found

The Indian Army has recovered the body of Havildar Pankaj, who went missing after being swept away by a strong flow of water and debris near Tamak Nala in Uttarakhand's Joshimath area, ending a 12-day search operation. The sudden rise in water levels due to heavy rainfall in the Niti Valley region also washed away the Bailey (valley) bridge built by the BRO over the nala along the strategically important Jyotirmath-Malari/Niti motor road. Pankaj, a driver posted with the 123 Unit of the Border Roads Organisation, went missing after being caught in the strong current triggered by heavy rainfall. Following the incident, Indian Army teams launched a large-scale search operation despite challenging weather, strong water currents and difficult terrain.

A Promise Fulfilled: 'Never Left Behind'

According to the PRO and Spokesperson, MoD, Dehradun Region, Pankaj was recovered on August 22 after 12 days of relentless search efforts, bringing closure to his family. 12 DAYS. ONE PROMISE. NEVER LEFT BEHIND. When Havildar Pankaj of 123 RCC was swept away at #TamakNala while saving fellow passengers, his comrades made a promise: we will bring him home. For 12 relentless days, #IndianArmy HADR teams fought raging waters, treacherous heights and… pic.twitter.com/fmIzg1MXej — PRO & Spokesperson, MoD, Dehradun Region (@PRODefDehradun) August 24, 2026 "12 DAYS. ONE PROMISE. NEVER LEFT BEHIND. When Havildar Pankaj of 123 RCC was swept away at #TamakNala while saving fellow passengers, his comrades made a promise: we will bring him home. For 12 relentless days, #IndianArmy HADR teams fought raging waters, treacherous heights and brutal weather. On 22 Aug, the search ended with a comrade recovered and a family given closure. He saved others. His Army never stopped looking. A soldier may fall. His comrades never abandon him," PRO wrote on X.

Massive Multi-Agency Search Operation

Earlier on August 18, a large-scale search and rescue operation was underway under the direction of the district administration to trace Havildar Pankaj near Tamak Nala, close to Long Segdi village in Joshimath tehsil. Rescue teams from the district administration, police, SDRF, NDRF, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Garhwal Rifles were deployed at the site. Teams meticulously searched debris, water channels, riverbanks and other possible locations around the stream. (ANI)

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