Chitral, August 1 — In a heartbreaking yet astonishing discovery, the body of Naziruddin, son of Behram from the Saleh Khel tribe, was recovered on Sunday from the melting edge of the Lady Pals Glacier—28 years after he went missing during a snowstorm.
Naziruddin disappeared in 1997 while returning from Spat. It is believed that he, along with his horse, fell into a glacier crevasse during the journey. Despite desperate search efforts by locals at the time, no trace of him was found, and he was eventually declared missing.
As the glacier began to melt in recent weeks, local shepherds spotted human remains near the Bar Pals area. Authorities were quickly alerted, and upon arrival, confirmed the identity of the body through an identity card found intact in a waistcoat pocket. Remarkably, Naziruddin’s clothing and belongings had remained preserved by the ice.
The discovery has sent ripples through the community, stirring memories of the tragic day nearly three decades ago when Naziruddin rode off and never returned. Elders in the area still recall the day vividly.
While the shocking find has reopened old wounds, it has also brought long-awaited closure to the grieving family. Upon receiving the news, his relatives rushed to the site and, after all these years, were finally able to perform his funeral rites and lay him to rest.
“This moment is both painful and comforting,” said one elder. “We searched for years. Now at least, we know.”
The incident has left the local community in a state of reflection—a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the highlands, and the enduring hope families hold onto in the face of uncertainty.
