Overview
- A 26-member Assam Forest Department team that left for a routine patrol in the Maibong area was traced safe after nearly two days missing, officials said on Sunday.
- Contact with the group was lost on July 24 after they entered forest areas with little or no mobile network, prompting alarm and the launch of a search.
- Assam Police, the district administration, Assam Rifles and the Forest Department mounted a coordinated search using ground teams, drones and a four-member senior IFS team rushed to Haflong to oversee efforts.
- Divisional forest officer Tuhin Langthasa gave a preliminary account that the patrol became disoriented after losing connectivity and unintentionally crossed into Nagaland before re-establishing contact.
- All members returned to Langting for routine medical checks and a formal debrief is pending, which officials say may lead to operational and technological changes to reduce future risks for forest staff.