JAMMU, July 16, 2026 — In a bizarre and shocking case of mistaken identity that seems straight out of a cinematic thriller, a family in Jammu nearly cremated a stranger after mistakenly identifying an unidentified body as their missing son. The dramatic turn of events unfolded when the missing youth called his family while they were en route to the cremation ground to inform them he was still alive.
The incident centers around 27-year-old Vishal Kumar, a resident of Sohanjana in the Jammu district, who works as a security guard at a factory in Bari Brahmana. According to officials, Vishal had been missing for three to five days after leaving for work. Despite frantic searches by his family—including at his workplace—he could not be traced, and his mobile phone remained continuously switched off.
A Devastating Identification at GMC Hospital
The situation took a grim turn when local police contacted the family, asking them to visit the mortuary at the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu. Police had recovered an unidentified body from the Bari Brahmana area—the same industrial sector where Vishal was employed.
Driven by grief and panic, the family viewed the body and, noting an uncanny resemblance in facial features and physical build, mistakenly identified the deceased as their missing son. Following the identification, authorities completed the necessary legal formalities, conducted a post-mortem, and officially handed the body over to the grieving relatives for final rites.
A Phone Call from the “Dead”
As the family traveled in an ambulance carrying the body toward the cremation ground, the unimaginable happened: Vishal called them.
Shocked and disbelieving, the family listened as Vishal explained that he was alive, safe, and still in Jammu. He revealed that his mobile phone had developed a sudden technical fault and remained dead for days. Furthermore, he explained that he had been working consecutive day and night shifts at the factory over the past few days, which was likely why his family failed to spot him when they came searching.
Vishal only realized the gravity of the situation when a friend informed him that rumors of his death were spreading rapidly. He immediately got his phone repaired and made the urgent call to his family.
Investigation Restarted
Following the surreal revelation, the family immediately ordered the ambulance to turn back. The unidentified body was returned to the GMC Jammu mortuary.
Police authorities have now restarted the grueling process of establishing the actual identity of the deceased man and investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Published by True Roots Media Network