Mannarkkad, Kerala: A 27-year-old from Palakkad was found dead at a forested area in Jammu and Kashmir, with officials believing the body had been there for more than ten days.

The deceased has been identified as Muhammed Shanib, son of Abdul Samad and Haseena, residents of Kanjirappuzha. The body, located in a forested area near Pulwama, was identified based on photographs and an address found in the clothing, according to police from the Tangmarg station who contacted the family.

Shanib had reportedly been suffering from minor mental health issues and had previously left home without informing family members. He was last seen leaving his residence on April 13, telling his mother he had secured a job at a supermarket in Bengaluru and asking the family not to call or message due to work pressures.

His sister Shifana, who works as an accountant in Bengaluru, said Shanib had not visited her either. Multiple calls to his phone went unanswered in the days following his departure. It was only after a call from the Kashmir police that the family was informed about his death.

Shanib had previously worked at a supermarket for three months in Ajman, UAE, and had also assisted his uncle on electrical wiring jobs in Kerala. Local police in Mannarkkad collected details from the family and have asked them to travel to Kashmir to confirm the identity of the body.