A search operation is underway 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 to conduct 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 personnel last communicated with departmental authorities on the evening of July 24. Since then, all contact has been lost, with their mobile phones either switched off or remaining 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 forested areas to trace the missing personnel.
Sources said that if the team remains untraceable by Sunday morning, the department may deploy a helicopter to widen the search in the difficult terrain.
The Forest Department has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Search operations are continuing, and further details are awaited.
