A phone call from a police station in Pathanamthitta district has brought an end to a long 56-year wait for the family of Thomas Cherian. The unexpected news confirmed that the body of Thomas’s elder brother, Cherian, had finally been found.
Cherian, an army craftsman, was one of the 102 passengers aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft that tragically crashed in the Himalayas in 1968, amidst severe weather conditions.
The aircraft disappeared from radar while traversing the Rohtang Pass, a critical link between Himachal Pradesh and Indian-administered Kashmir, leaving its fate shrouded in mystery for decades.
In 2003, the first body of a passenger was recovered, leading to the eventual discovery of eight more remains, with the wreckage located in 2019.
Recently, the incident resurfaced in the news as search operations yielded four additional bodies, including that of Cherian.
Upon receiving the news, Thomas remarked that “the suffocation of 56 years had suddenly evaporated” and expressed relief at finally being able to breathe again.
At just 22 years old, Cherian was about to embark on his first field posting in Leh when he went missing. Initially labeled as missing, his status was changed to deceased only after the first body was found in 2003.
Thomas shared that both their parents had passed away, waiting for closure regarding their missing son.
To date, only 13 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. The adverse weather conditions and treacherous terrain complicate search missions, making recovery efforts challenging.
The bodies of Cherian and three others were recovered at an altitude of 16,000 feet near the Dhaka glacier. This operation was conducted by the Dogra Scouts of the Indian Army, in collaboration with mountain rescue teams.
Utilizing modern technology, search teams employed satellite imagery, Recco radar, and drones to identify locations where the bodies were believed to be.
The Recco radar detected metallic debris buried under 20 meters of snow, allowing teams to locate remains amidst the wreckage.
Identification of Cherian was facilitated by a nametag on his uniform and a document found in his pocket.
The families of the recently recovered soldiers are experiencing a complex mixture of grief and relief. The loss of their loved ones has lingered for decades, with many relatives passing away without closure.
On October 3, officials returned Cherian’s coffin, draped in the Indian flag, to his family, followed by a funeral service at their local church.
Thomas expressed gratitude towards the army for providing consistent updates throughout the long years of uncertainty, revealing that many relatives continued to serve in the armed forces after Cherian’s disappearance.
For those like Jaiveer Singh, the journey towards healing continues. He recently received the remains of his uncle, Narayan Singh, also found in the same recovery operation.
After years of uncertainty, Narayan’s family had almost lost hope, leading to a new chapter in life for his widow, who passed away while still awaiting news of her husband.
Singh noted the bittersweet nature of closure, as he holds onto memories of a loved one long lost.
