MBA Student Missing During Uttarakhand Trek, 150 Personnel Join Search Operation

A week long search operation is continuing in Uttarakhand after a 24 year old MBA student disappeared during a trekking trip in the scenic but rugged Dayara Bugyal region. Despite extensive efforts by multiple agencies, there has been no breakthrough in locating the missing woman.

The student, Babita Pandey, had travelled to Uttarkashi along with two friends, Harmanpal Singh and Harmanpreet Singh. Following concerns raised by her family after she could not be contacted, police launched a detailed investigation and began questioning both companions as part of the inquiry.

According to officials, the three friends first reached Dehradun before visiting popular hill destinations including Harsil and Gangotri. They later arrived at Raithal village, which serves as a starting point for trekkers heading towards Dayara Bugyal.

Investigators said the trio stayed in Raithal before beginning their trek the next day. CCTV footage from the village reportedly captured all three together before they proceeded toward the mountain trail.

The group spent a night at Goyi Base Camp during the expedition. Authorities believe Babita went missing sometime during the night, although the exact circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear. Her absence was discovered shortly afterward, triggering an emergency search mission.

More than 150 personnel have been deployed across the region. Teams from the Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police, State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, forest department and local police are participating in the operation.

Rescuers are navigating dense forests, steep trekking routes and remote mountain terrain while searching for any sign of the missing student. Drones and trained sniffer dogs are also being used to assist teams working on the ground.

Search efforts have extended to nearby caves and isolated locations that trekkers occasionally pass through. Divers have additionally been deployed to inspect a lake near the campsite in case any clues are found there.

Police have circulated Babita Pandey’s photograph through social media and public networks in hopes of gathering information that could aid the investigation. As days pass without answers, her family continues to wait anxiously while authorities remain committed to finding her and uncovering what happened during the trek.