Swift overnight operation led by Thunag SDM, coordinated efforts by SDRF, police, locals ensure safe recovery
Munish Sood
MANDI: An eight-member family that had gone missing while returning from the revered Shikari Mata Temple in Janjehli in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district was found safe early Friday (October 24, 2025) morning following a night-long rescue operation conducted by the district administration, SDRF and police teams.
The family members, belonging to the Dadaur area of Mandi, had lost their way in dense forests and thick fog on Thursday evening.
According to officials, the family went missing around 7.30 pm on October 23 while descending from the temple. Upon receiving the information, the local administration immediately launched a coordinated search and rescue operation. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team was dispatched from Mandi around 11 pm and reached the Ruhara region by 2 am. The search continued through the night, and by 6.30 am on Friday, the entire family was located safe near Tangral Nullah.
Night-long supervision and coordinated efforts
Thunag Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Manu Verma supervised the rescue efforts from the field throughout the night. Teams from the police, revenue department, home guards, fire services and local volunteers worked in close coordination under challenging conditions marked by poor visibility and difficult terrain.
“The rescue was a result of teamwork, swift coordination, and tireless efforts by all departments and volunteers involved,” said an official from the rescue team.
Strategic search deployment ensured success
The missing group included retired principal Rajendra Kumar and seven other family members. Among them was Aarti, a former student of Kumar and a resident of Janjehli. The incident was first reported to the Janjehli police station by Bhim Singh, the deputy head of the local panchayat.
Following the alert, three search teams were immediately deployed — one towards Budhakedar, another from Raigarh along the main road and the third from Deji towards Pakhtiar. When no results emerged initially, the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) in Mandi was notified, prompting the deployment of the SDRF for an expanded operation that eventually led to the family’s safe recovery.
The successful culmination of the overnight rescue brought immense relief to the family members and the local community. The district administration has lauded the efforts of all involved departments, SDRF personnel and volunteers who risked their safety to bring the missing family home.
