Recovery – Delhi Police reunite nearly 200 missing persons in April drive
Recovery – Delhi Police have reported significant progress in tracing missing individuals, successfully reuniting 194 people with their families during April under an ongoing initiative known as Operation Milap.
Sustained Efforts Bring Families Back Together
The month-long effort, carried out between April 1 and April 30, included the recovery of 45 children who had either gone missing or were reported kidnapped, along with 149 adults. Officials said the initiative remains a key component of their strategy to locate vulnerable individuals and ensure their safe return home.
Data released by the department shows that the impact of the campaign extends beyond a single month. Between January 1 and April 30 this year, authorities in the South-West District alone traced 542 missing individuals. This group included 143 children and 399 adults, all of whom were reunited with their families following coordinated efforts.
Coordinated Response in Every Case
Police officials emphasised that each missing person report triggered immediate action. Dedicated teams were assigned without delay to begin search operations. These teams relied on multiple strategies, including checking CCTV footage across areas, conducting door-to-door inquiries, and sharing photographs at high-traffic locations such as bus stands, railway stations, and local transport hubs.
Investigators also worked closely with transport workers, shopkeepers, and other individuals who could provide useful leads. Informal networks, including local informers, were activated to gather real-time information. In parallel, records from nearby police stations and hospitals were reviewed carefully to ensure no potential clue was overlooked.
Police Stations Report Individual Successes
Several police stations across the South-West District contributed to the overall results with focused operations. Vasant Vihar police located six individuals, including three minor girls and three adult women. South Campus police traced two children, a boy and a girl, who had been reported missing.
Vasant Kunj North reported the recovery of seven individuals, while Vasant Kunj South traced ten people, including three minor girls. Kapashera police recorded one of the highest recoveries, locating eight children and 21 adults during the same period.
In Palam Village, officers traced three children and four adult women. Sagarpur police recovered two minor girls along with eleven other individuals. Meanwhile, Delhi Cantt. police successfully traced one missing boy and 29 adults.
Other stations also played their part. Sarojini Nagar police located six individuals, including two children. Safdarjung Enclave reported tracing three people, and Kishangarh police recovered eight individuals, including one minor boy.
Role of Specialised Units
Special units within the district were instrumental in strengthening the operation. The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit traced 14 children, evenly split between boys and girls, who were either missing or suspected to have been trafficked.
Similarly, the District Missing Persons Unit helped locate a significant number of individuals, including six minor girls and 53 adults. Officials noted that the involvement of these specialised teams allowed for faster coordination and better handling of sensitive cases.
Focus on Community-Centric Policing
Authorities described the results as a reflection of continued commitment to public service and community safety. The success of Operation Milap highlights the importance of swift response, coordination, and community engagement in handling missing person cases.
Officials added that such efforts will continue with the same level of urgency, ensuring that families facing distress receive timely support and assistance. The department aims to further strengthen its systems to improve response time and recovery rates in the coming months.