New Delhi: In a significant achievement, the North District police’s Missing Persons’ Tracing Squad has successfully traced over 1,000 missing individuals in the past two years under Operation Talash. Launched in January 2022, the initiative has become a vital effort in reuniting children and adults with their families, often across state boundaries.
Of the 1,005 people traced, 950 were reported missing in North Delhi, while the remaining cases were linked to other districts and states. The operation has seen commendable results, with 492 children and 513 adults being reunited, offering much-needed closure to families.
The operation is led by a dedicated team of 13 officers who closely monitor reports of missing persons. The team leverages technology, including CCTV footage, social media platforms, and detailed fieldwork, to trace individuals. The initiative began under the leadership of then DCP Sagar Singh Kalsi, with officers working tirelessly to solve cases not just from Delhi, but from other states as well, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, and Maharashtra.
One notable case involved a 14-year-old boy from Najafgarh who went missing in Central Delhi. Through meticulous analysis of the child’s movements and digital data, the team successfully tracked him to Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, where he was found and safely returned to his family.
The squad frequently deals with complex and sensitive cases. Officers have traced individuals in cities as far as Surat, Gujarat, while also solving cases involving hearing-impaired children and adults. In many instances, those reported missing face difficult circumstances, making the task more challenging.
For families, the success of Op Talash has brought immense relief. In a case earlier this year, the team located a hearing-impaired teenager from Maharashtra who had been missing for weeks. After extensive efforts, the girl was found wandering alone and brought back to her family.
The operation also highlights the Delhi Police’s ability to address missing persons’ cases with sensitivity, especially when individuals face vulnerable circumstances.
BI Bureau
