GUWAHATI: A team of 23 Assam Forest Department officials and three accompanying personnel, who had gone incommunicado while on a patrol mission in the remote forests along the Dima Hasao–Karbi Anglong–Nagaland border, has been traced and is safe, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said on Sunday, July 26.
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The Minister shared the update in a post on X, communicating the safe return of the team.
According to Baruah, the team comprised forest personnel from the Langting Range, Manderdisa Range, Hatikhola Range and Maibong Range.
The officials had lost communication while carrying out patrolling and combing operations in the dense forest areas along the inter-state border, where mobile network connectivity is limited.
"For nearly two days, communication remained disrupted," Baruah said, adding that an extensive search operation was subsequently launched involving the Forest Department, Assam Police and the district administration.
The search efforts were supported by drones and a senior team of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers.
"This incident is a reminder of the extraordinary commitment of our forest personnel. They venture into some of the most remote and challenging terrains to protect our forests, wildlife and natural heritage, often putting themselves at great personal risk," Baruah said.
"I sincerely thank every agency involved in the search efforts and salute our brave forest officials for their unwavering dedication and service to Assam," the Minister added.