The remains of a four-year-old boy who disappeared during Pakistan’s devastating 2005 earthquake have been recovered from the rubble of his family’s former home in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing closure to a tragedy that remained unresolved for more than two decades.

Jamal Shafiq went missing on October 8, 2005, when the powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan, devastating parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The disaster claimed more than 80,000 lives and left millions displaced.

Jamal’s father, Shafiq-ur-Rehman, lost eight relatives in the earthquake, but his young son’s whereabouts remained unknown despite years of hope and uncertainty.

The remains were discovered during reconstruction work at the family’s old house. Labourers removing debris found human bones along with clothing and shoes, which enabled the family to identify the remains as Jamal’s.

The 2005 earthquake is regarded as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Pakistan’s history, destroying entire communities, including much of Balakot.

For Jamal’s family, the discovery ends a 21-year search and provides long-awaited closure after decades of unanswered questions.