Chhattisgarh police recover over 4,400 missing men & women under 'Operation Talaash'

Raipur: Chhattisgarh police have successfully rescued approximately 4,472 missing individuals—including men and women—under the specially launched “Operation Talaash. campaign” This intensive campaign, conducted from June 1 to June 30, 2025, marks the state’s first focused effort on tracing missing adults, expanding the scope beyond the earlier child-focused “Operation Muskaan.”

Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam and Police Inspector General Ajay Yadav, the police headquarters formulated a comprehensive strategy for this month-long campaign. A dedicated nodal officer and specialized teams were appointed, utilizing improved communication methods and meticulous case reviews. Each missing person’s family was personally contacted, and teams were dispatched to potential locations based on intelligence and thorough analysis.

The operation’s reach extended beyond Chhattisgarh’s borders, with police teams coordinating efforts nationwide. As a result, 3,207 women and 1,265 men were safely located and brought back home. Among those rescued, 252 individuals were recovered from various states, including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Puducherry, and Assam.

Districts Bilaspur and Durg led the rescue efforts with outstanding results, recovering 1,056 and 807 missing persons respectively. Meanwhile, Mahasamund and Raipur also made notable contributions by locating 267 and 217 individuals.

Police authorities said that methodical planning, effective use of technology, community engagement, and inter-state cooperation helped in carrying out the operation. The initiative has also strengthened families’ trust in law enforcement and created a safer environment for vulnerable populations.