Dehradun: Authorities in Uttarakhand have launched a large-scale rescue effort for a 24-year-old MBA student who disappeared six days ago while trekking in the scenic Dayara Bugyal area of Uttarkashi district. Babita Pandey, a resident of Nainital, went missing during the trek, prompting her family to file a complaint that led to the detention of her two trekking companions for questioning.
Pandey had travelled to Uttarkashi along with Harmanpal Singh from Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand and Harmanpreet Singh from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. According to Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Upadhyay, the group first arrived in Dehradun on May 25 before proceeding to Harsil, Gangotri, and other local tourist spots. They reached Raithal village on May 28 and spent the night there, where they were last captured on CCTV cameras.
The following day, on May 29, the trio began their trek from Raithal towards Dayara Bugyal, a popular Himalayan route known for its breathtaking landscapes. They set up camp for the night at the Goi base camp. It was around midnight that Pandey went missing from the campsite, police officials said.
A coordinated search operation involving approximately 150 personnel is now in progress. The team includes members from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, forest department, and disaster management units. Search teams are combing through dense forests, trekking paths, and caves within a five-kilometre radius, supported by sniffer dogs and drone surveillance.
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Additionally, a specialised six-member diving team is examining a lake near the Goi campsite in case the student may have fallen into the water.
The disappearance has raised concerns about safety on high-altitude treks in the region, though officials have refrained from speculating on the circumstances. The detained friends are assisting investigators as the search continues round the clock. Family members of Babita Pandey have expressed deep anxiety over her whereabouts and are hopeful for a positive outcome as rescue efforts intensify in the challenging Himalayan terrain.