Guwahati: Relief swept across Assam after all 23 forest personnel, who had gone missing during a routine patrol in the dense forests along the Dima Hasao–Karbi Anglong border, were traced safely following an intensive two-day search operation involving the Forest Department, Assam Police and the Assam Rifles.
The disappearance of the team had triggered widespread concern among officials and the families of the personnel, particularly as the area has historically been a hideout for insurgent groups and remains one of the state’s most inaccessible forest regions.
Routine Patrol Turned into a Rescue Mission
The forest personnel had set out on July 23 for a routine field survey covering the Langting, Maibang, Khepre, Manderdisa and Hatikhola forest ranges.
The team maintained contact with the district headquarters until the evening of July 24, after which all communication abruptly ceased.
The patrol comprised 23 forest personnel, including:
- Two Range Officers
- One Assistant Range Officer
- Twenty Foresters and Forest Guards
They were accompanied by three support staff, taking the total strength of the expedition to 26.
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Communication Lost in Dense Forests
Officials later said the team had not been attacked or harmed. Instead, communication was lost because the personnel had entered an extremely remote forest area where mobile networks were unavailable.
Even the wireless radio communication sets stopped functioning after moving beyond network range, leaving the team completely cut off from the headquarters.
However, the prolonged silence from such a large patrol raised alarm within the Forest Department, prompting an immediate search operation.
Massive Multi-Agency Search Launched
Senior Forest Department officials, in coordination with the Assam Police, launched an extensive search mission soon after contact was lost.
Given the difficult terrain and the area’s security sensitivities, assistance was sought from:
- Assam Rifles
- Local district administration
- Senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers
Search teams spread across the rugged forest landscape, much of which remains inaccessible by road and devoid of communication facilities.
To improve search efficiency, drones were deployed to scan the dense forest canopy where ground visibility was extremely limited.
Found Safe After Two Days
After nearly 48 hours of intensive search operations, the missing team was finally located on July 27.
All 23 forest personnel were found safe and later returned to their base without any injuries.
Their safe recovery brought immense relief to their families and colleagues who had been anxiously awaiting news.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Praises Forest Personnel
Confirming the successful rescue, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the development on social media.
He said, “23 forest personnel went missing recently in the dense jungles of Dima Hasao–Karbi Anglong. After an intense search operation, all of them have been found safely.”
The Chief Minister added that the incident serves as a reminder of the difficult conditions in which Assam’s forest personnel work every day to protect the state’s wildlife and forests.
An Invisible Battle to Protect Biodiversity
Senior forest officials said incidents like these rarely receive public attention despite the risks routinely faced by frontline forest staff.
They noted that forest guards often walk up to 50 kilometres through dense forests as part of their daily duties to monitor wildlife, prevent illegal activities and safeguard biodiversity.
The successful rescue operation has once again highlighted both the operational challenges and the dedication of Assam’s frontline forest personnel, who continue to work under extremely demanding conditions to protect the state’s rich natural heritage.
