MBA Student Missing During Uttarakhand Trek as Massive Search Operation Continues
A 24 year old MBA student disappeared during a trekking trip in Uttarakhand, prompting an extensive search involving multiple agencies while police detained two companions for questioning.
A large scale search operation is underway in Uttarakhand after a 24 year old MBA student went missing during a trekking expedition in the Dayara Bugyal forest region. Authorities have been searching for her continuously for the past six days, while two of her friends have been taken into custody for questioning.
The missing woman, identified as Babita Pandey, had travelled with friends Harmanpal Singh and Harmanpreet Singh as part of a trekking trip in Uttarkashi district. Following a complaint filed by her family, police launched an investigation and intensified efforts to trace her whereabouts.
According to investigators, the trio arrived in Dehradun on May 25 before visiting Harsil and Gangotri. They later reached Raithal village on May 28 and stayed there overnight. Police said all three were captured on local CCTV cameras before beginning their trek toward Dayara Bugyal the following day.
The group reportedly spent the night at Goyi Base Camp during the trek. Officials believe Babita disappeared from the campsite during the late night hours under circumstances that remain unclear. Her sudden disappearance triggered a major search mission across the surrounding forest area.
More than 150 personnel from various agencies have joined the operation. Teams from the Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police, State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, police, forest department and disaster management authorities are combing the rugged terrain in search of clues.
Search teams are using drones, sniffer dogs and ground patrol units to cover the dense forest zone, which stretches across several kilometres. Trekking routes, remote caves and other difficult to access locations are being thoroughly examined as part of the ongoing effort.
Divers have also been deployed to search a lake located near the Goyi camp area. Meanwhile, police have released Babita Pandey’s photograph on social media platforms in an attempt to gather information from the public and generate leads that could assist the investigation.
As the search enters its seventh day, family members and authorities continue to hope for a breakthrough in a case that has drawn widespread attention across the region.
