A multi-agency search operation for a 24-year-old traveler from Ramnagar in Uttarakhand, who went missing while camping in a meadow trek in Uttarakhand, entered its fifth day on Wednesday.
Babita Pandey, an MBA student, and her two friends were camping on Diyara Bhogyal’s trekking route when she went missing around midnight on May 29, officials said.
Uttarkashi district magistrate Prashant Arya said Pandey’s friends reported her disappearance to authorities on May 30 after they initially searched for her themselves. “They told us that she left the tent around midnight and did not return. When they woke up the next morning and could not locate her, they searched the area before reporting the matter to the police on May 30.”
More than 150 personnel from the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Police, Forest and Revenue Department and disaster management teams were deployed in the search operation. Residents familiar with the terrain also help them. “Sniffer dogs and drones were also deployed in the search operation,” Arya said.
He said searches were underway along the trekking route and other potential locations despite the difficult terrain and difficult weather conditions. “A six-member specialized research team has also been formed to intensify the operation,” Arya said.
Officials said the special team is focusing on searching nearby lakes, water bodies and other inaccessible locations, but there are no clues regarding Pandey’s whereabouts.
Pandey’s family has raised doubts about the role of her two friends. Based on the family’s complaint, the police registered a case against Harman Pal and Harman Preet under Section 140 (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, which relates to kidnapping with intent to secretly and unlawfully detain a person.
