A phone call from a police station in Pathanamthitta, Kerala delivers unexpected news to Thomas. He learns that the body of Thomas Cherian (the body of his elder brother) who had been missing for more than 56 years, has finally been discovered.
Who was Thomas Cherian and What Happened to Him?
Cherian, a skilled craftsman in the army, was among 102 passengers on board an Indian Air Force AN-12 plane that tragically crashed in the Himalayas in 1968 due to harsh weather. The aircraft disappeared while flying over the Rohtang Pass, which connects Himachal Pradesh with Indian-administered Kashmir. For many years, the aircraft was classified as missing, leaving the fate of its passengers a mystery.
A significant breakthrough occurred in 2003 when mountaineers discovered the first body. Further searches conducted by the army resulted in the recovery of eight additional bodies, and in 2019, the aircraft’s wreckage was finally located. The search efforts were recently renewed, resulting in the recovery of Cherian’s remains and three others.
How Did the Family Cope with the Loss of Thomas Cherian?
When Thomas heard the news, he expressed that ‘the suffocation of 56 years had suddenly evaporated’. Cherian, only 22 at the time, was on his way to his first field posting in Leh when the tragedy occurred. The emotional impact on the family was profound. Their father passed away in 1990, and their mother in 1998, both unaware of their son’s fate.
For many years, the family lived with uncertainty and sorrow, longing for news that never arrived. Thomas spoke about the relief of their loss, noting that it felt as if a heavy weight had been finally removed. He recounted the struggle of living with the absence of a loved one for such an extended period, but now they could finally find some peace.
As of now, only 13 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, with severe weather and difficult terrain hindering rescue operations.
What Techniques Were Used in the Recovery Operation?
A recent recovery operation occurred at an altitude of 16,000 feet near the Dhaka glacier. The Indian Army’s Dogra Scouts, in collaboration with the Tiranga Mountain Rescue team, employed satellite imagery, Recco Radar, and drones to find the remains. The Recco Radar, capable of detecting metallic objects hidden in snow, was essential in locating debris from the aircraft.
During the manual excavation, officials found one body, while three others were discovered within the glacier’s crevices. Cherian was identified through his uniform’s nametag and a document found in his pocket. This identification was crucial, providing closure to a family that had been waiting for decades for this moment.
How Did the Family Honor Cherian’s Memory?
On October 3, officials delivered Cherian’s coffin, covered with the Indian flag, to his family. The next day, a funeral service was held at a church in their village, Elanthoor. Thomas thanked the army for their ongoing updates over the years. He mentioned that many family members had joined the armed forces despite the tragedy. This bond with the military community offered some solace and support to the mourning family.
How are Other Families Coping?
The families of the other soldiers who have recently returned are experiencing a blend of sorrow and relief. In Uttarakhand, Jaiveer Singh is processing the news of his uncle Narayan Singh’s body being found. After years of uncertainty, Narayan’s family had given up hope, promoting his wife to start a new life with one of his cousins. Jaiveer, born from that union, remembers his mother’s unwavering hopes for Narayan’s return until her passing in 2011.
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Mallika Sadhu is a journalist committed to revealing the raw, unfiltered truth. Mallika's work is grounded in a dedication to transparency and integrity, aiming to present clear and impactful stories that matter. Through comprehensive reporting and honest storytelling, she strives to contribute to provide narratives that genuinely inform and engage. When not dwelling in the world of journalism, she is immersed in the colors of her canvas and pages of her journal.
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