Chamoli, August 17, 2026: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state government is making every possible effort to locate BRO Havildar Pankaj, who went missing after the Tamak Nala in Chamoli’s Niti Valley rose dangerously following heavy rainfall.
Dhami said the government would extend all necessary assistance to Pankaj’s family and remain by their side during this difficult period. He assured the family that the search and rescue operation would continue with sensitivity, urgency and close supervision.
The soldier’s relatives had appealed for government help through social media. Taking note of their request, the Chief Minister directed officials to intensify the search operation and ensure that all available resources were deployed.
Dhami also spoke to Pankaj’s family over the phone and assured them that the government was closely monitoring the situation. He instructed the concerned officers to track the rescue operation continuously and accelerate efforts to locate the missing soldier.
Teams from the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Uttarakhand Police, district administration, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are jointly involved in the search. Operations are being conducted along the riverbank and other locations considered likely to provide leads.
Havildar Pankaj is a resident of Pithoragarh. The Chief Minister’s Office is maintaining regular contact with his family and receiving updates on the progress of the rescue mission.
Dhami said the safety and well-being of citizens, including personnel serving in difficult and remote areas, remain a priority for the state government.
