23 Assam forest officials lose contact during patrol near Nagaland border; search under way

A search operation is under way after 23 Forest Department personnel from the Maibang Division in Assam's Dima Hasao district lost contact while on a patrol near the Nagaland border.

 

According to sources, the team left on July 23 for a forest patrol and survey covering the Langting, Maibang and Khepre areas. The group comprises two Range Officers, one Assistant Range Officer, and 20 Foresters and Forest Guards.

 

The team last communicated with departmental authorities on the evening of July 24. Since then, there has been no contact, with their mobile phones either switched off or outside network coverage.

 

The loss of communication has prompted a joint search operation involving the Assam Police, Assam Rifles and Forest Department officials. Search teams are combing the remote forest areas to trace the missing personnel.

 

Sources said that if the team remains untraceable by Sunday morning, the department may deploy a helicopter to expand the search in the difficult terrain.

 

The Forest Department has not issued an official statement on the incident so far. Search efforts are continuing, and further details are awaited.