Padmapur: Two youths, who went missing in the challenging terrain of Jhanj Hills in Padmapur sub-division of Odisha’s Baragada district, were safely rescued on Wednesday following an intensive, multi-agency search operation lasting around 20 hours.
The rescued individuals have been identified as Raj Mallick and Ganesh Duduka from Kansingha village. Both are reported to be safe and have been reunited with their families, who expressed profound relief and gratitude to the rescue teams.
According to sources, a group of nine youths from the village set out on Tuesday for an excursion to the foothills of Jhanjha Hills and visited a local temple at Kuthikhol in Barahapali Panchayat area. After offering prayers, the group decided to trek up the hill. During the climb, Raj and Ganesh got separated from the group and lost their way in the dense forest.
Since no contact could be established with them, his family informed the administration.
A preliminary search began on Tuesday evening, which stretched through the night and into Wednesday. Teams included personnel from the Forest Department, Fire Services, Police, and District Voluntary Force (DVF) and numerous volunteers from surrounding villages.
The rescuers faced obstacles, including steep and dense jungle terrain that extends across the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, complete lack of mobile network coverage, and the presence of wildlife such as elephants and bears. The area also carries historical security sensitivities due to past Maoist activity, requiring extra caution. The youths’ phones were switched off, heightening concerns that they might have wandered deep into the forest or crossed the state border.
The duo was eventually traced and rescued from Bhanubhata village near Chhattisgarh border.
Families of the missing youths had made emotional appeals for intensified efforts, and local administration officials had assured them of deploying all possible resources.
