Mutilated body discovered at Churdhar peak amid search for missing Panchkula youth

Himachalscape bureau March 11, 2025 3 minutes read

Shimla, March 11,

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A group of three local youths from Nohradhar have found a severely mutilated body near Churdhar peak while searching for the young man from Panchkula, Haryana, who had been missing since February 26. The body was found trapped between massive rocks and layers of snow near the sacred Shivling at Churdhar — the highest peak in the outer Himalayas, towering at an elevation of 11,965 feet in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district.

The discovery was made by Hansraj, Harish, and Tapendra — residents of Nohradhar — who had taken it upon themselves to launch a voluntary search mission for Akshay, the missing youth from Panchkula. Akshay was reported missing during the Shivratri celebrations, sparking widespread concern and an extensive search effort.

Undeterred by the harsh and treacherous conditions of Churdhar, the three youths began their search early Monday morning. Their determination paid off when they found the badly decomposed and frozen body hidden under rocks and ice just behind the revered Shivling. Without wasting time, the trio immediately alerted local residents and authorities about their grim discovery.

Efforts to retrieve the body have been challenging due to the region’s heavy snow and rugged terrain. A joint team of police and local volunteers is currently working to transport the remains to Nohradhar for further examination and official identification.

The search for Akshay had already mobilized multiple agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, forest department, and revenue officials. However, severe cold and heavy snowfall forced these teams to suspend their efforts. On March 6, a specialized team from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, also attempted a rescue operation but was similarly thwarted by extreme weather conditions. Even celebrated mountaineer Baljeet Kaur and her team, who joined the search on March 10, were unable to locate the missing youth.

Despite the involvement of professional rescue teams, it was the selfless dedication and bravery of the three Nohradhar youths that finally led to this crucial discovery.

Confirming the development, Sangrah Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sunil Kumar Kaith stated, “We have received information about a severely mutilated body found at Churdhar by three local youths. Official identification will follow a thorough investigation. Due to heavy snow, the body could not be retrieved yesterday, but a joint team is working today to transport it to Nohradhar.”

As the investigation proceeds, the community remains hopeful for official confirmation of the body’s identity, providing long-awaited answers to the distressed family of the missing youth.

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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