23 missing Assam forest personnel traced safe after two-day search in Dima Hasao

Guwahati, July 26: Twenty-three Assam Forest Department personnel and three accompanying staff, who had gone missing for nearly two days while conducting patrol and survey operations in the remote forests of Dima Hasao district, have been traced safe, Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said on Sunday.

The team had lost contact while carrying out patrolling and combing operations in the dense forests along the Dima Hasao–Karbi Anglong–Nagaland border, an area known for poor mobile connectivity.

Confirming the development in a post on X, Baruah said the missing team comprised forest personnel from the Langting, Manderdisa, Hatikhola and Maibang ranges.

Relieved to share that our Forest Department team comprising 23 forest officials and 3 accompanying personnel has been traced and is safe. The team comprises Forest Staff of Langting Range, Manderdisa Range, Hatikhola Range and Maibong Range.

The team had lost contact while… pic.twitter.com/35b9Bhvq7f

— Jayanta Mallabaruah (@jayanta_malla) July 26, 2026

“For nearly two days, communication remained disrupted, following which an extensive search operation involving the Forest Department, Police and district administration, supported by drones and a senior IFS team, was launched,” the minister said.

He described the incident as a reminder of the risks faced by frontline forest staff who work in some of the state’s most inaccessible terrain to protect forests and wildlife.

“I sincerely thank every agency involved in the search efforts and salute our brave forest officials for their unwavering dedication and service to Assam,” Baruah added.

According to officials, the survey team, led by Range Officer Donmai Thaosen, had left on Thursday to carry out a forest survey covering the Langting, Hatikhola and Khepre areas. The last contact with the team was established around 3.30 pm on Friday, after which communication was lost.

The disappearance had triggered a massive search operation involving forest officials, police, the district administration, drone surveillance and senior Indian Forest Service officers before the team was finally located safe on Sunday.

The circumstances that led to the prolonged communication blackout were not immediately known.

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