Patna: Bihar has launched a special drive, Operation Talaash, to trace and recover missing, untraced and abducted children across the state. The campaign, being conducted by the Weaker Section Wing of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), will continue from August 20 to September 10, 2026.
So far, the campaign has resulted in 3,359 children being traced, while 2,787 children have been matched on the Mission Vatsalya Portal.
The initiative focuses on improving the accuracy of missing-child records and ensuring that children who have already been recovered are correctly reflected in official databases.
3,359 Children Traced During Campaign
According to Bihar Police Headquarters, police stations across the state entered 2,254 missing-child records on the Mission Vatsalya Portal up to September 2.
During the campaign, the data includes:
- 388 boys and 1,865 girls entered as missing children.
- 652 boys and 2,705 girls were recovered.
- 483 boys and 2,303 girls were matched on the portal.
Overall, the Mission Vatsalya Portal has so far helped trace 6,857 children, with 4,273 children matched on the system.
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Records Being Updated and Verified
Operation Talaash is also aimed at correcting gaps in official records. Police teams are updating and rectifying child-related information on the Mission Vatsalya Portal between August 20 and September 10.
Details of children who have already been recovered are being uploaded so that records of children who remain untraced accurately reflect their current status.
The campaign is also reviewing pending cases involving the abduction of children for marriage. Police are verifying these cases and working towards the recovery of children who remain missing.
For children who have already been recovered, their statements are being recorded before the court as required under the prescribed legal procedure.
Coordination With Juvenile Justice Boards
The campaign also involves coordination with Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) to update and rectify relevant records.
Police are filing Social Background Reports (SBRs) within the required timelines in pending cases involving Children in Conflict with Law (CICL). Charge sheets in the main cases are also being submitted before the Juvenile Justice Boards within the prescribed period.
This process is intended to improve case monitoring while ensuring that proceedings involving children remain aligned with legal requirements.
Visits to Child Care Institutions
As part of Operation Talaash, police teams are visiting Observation Homes, Remand Homes and Child Care Institutions (CCIs), after obtaining permission from the concerned Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees.
During these visits, officials are interacting with Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) and Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP). The children are being provided guidance, encouragement and support based on their needs.
The institutional outreach is an important part of the campaign, as tracing and recovery also need to be followed by appropriate care and rehabilitation.
Multiple Units Working Together
Operation Talaash is being conducted under the leadership of the Nodal Officer of the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) / Deputy Superintendent of Police (Special Crime).
The campaign brings together officers from several specialised units, including Women and Child Welfare Help Desks at police stations, Child Welfare Police Officers, Anti-Human Trafficking Units, Women Police Stations and Police Didis of the Abhaya Brigade.
The coordinated approach is aimed at strengthening the police response to missing and abducted children and ensuring better follow-up after recovery.
With the campaign continuing until September 10, Bihar’s focus remains on tracing children who are still unaccounted for, correcting official records and strengthening coordination among police, juvenile justice institutions and child-care agencies.
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