MBA Student Babita Pandey Missing During Uttarkashi Trek: Massive Search Operation Continues, Two Friends Detained

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A trekking trip to one of Uttarakhand’s most picturesque alpine meadows has turned into a distressing mystery after a 23-year-old MBA student Babita Pandey disappeared without a trace, triggering a massive search operation across the rugged mountains of Uttarkashi district.

Babita Pandey, a resident of Nainital district, had set out on what was meant to be a memorable journey with two friends. Instead, her disappearance in the middle of the Himalayas has left her family desperate for answers and authorities scrambling to piece together the events leading up to the incident.

According to investigators, Babita travelled to Uttarkashi along with Harmanpal Singh from Udham Singh Nagar and Harmanpreet Singh from Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district. Before beginning their trek, the group reportedly visited several tourist destinations, including Harsil and Gangotri, enjoying the scenic landscapes that attract thousands of visitors to the region every year.

On May 28, the three reached Raithal village, which serves as the gateway to the famous Dayara Bugyal trek. CCTV footage reviewed by police showed the trio together in the village, providing what is believed to be one of the last confirmed visual records of Babita before she vanished.

The following day, the group began their ascent toward Dayara Bugyal and later reached Goi Base Camp, a popular overnight halt for trekkers. What happened during the night remains at the centre of the investigation. Police say Babita went missing around midnight under circumstances that are still unclear. By the time her absence was noticed, there was no immediate indication of where she had gone.

As news of her disappearance spread, local authorities launched an emergency search operation. What began as a routine missing-person search quickly expanded into one of the largest rescue efforts seen in the area this season. More than 150 personnel from multiple agencies were deployed across the mountainous terrain.

Teams from the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, Uttarakhand Police, Forest Department and district disaster management units have spent days combing the region. Searchers have covered dense forests, narrow mountain trails, rocky slopes, deep valleys and remote caves. Drones have scanned vast stretches of difficult terrain from the air, while trained sniffer dogs have been brought in to track possible leads.

Despite the scale of the operation, investigators have yet to discover any evidence that clearly explains what happened to the young student. The lack of clues has only deepened concerns and fuelled speculation about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

In recent days, rescue teams shifted their focus toward a lake located near the campsite where Babita was last seen. Authorities believe every possible location must be thoroughly examined before any conclusions can be drawn. A specialised diving unit from the SDRF has been deployed with modern underwater equipment to search the lake and surrounding areas. Officials hope the effort may uncover evidence that could help reconstruct the final hours before she disappeared.

While the search continues on the ground, police have intensified their investigation. Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Upadhyay confirmed that a case has been registered and Babita’s two companions have been detained for questioning. Investigators are examining all possible angles, including accidental circumstances, personal disputes and any suspicious activities that may have occurred during the trip.

Officials familiar with the investigation say statements from trekking guides, campsite staff and individuals associated with the travel arrangements are also being recorded. Police are attempting to establish a detailed timeline of the group’s movements and interactions before the disappearance.

The case took another unexpected turn when authorities uncovered alleged irregularities related to the trek’s permit documentation. According to the district tourism department, no valid digital trekking permits were issued in the names of Babita or her companions through the official government portal.

Subsequent inquiries reportedly revealed that the trekking agency involved had used an expired permit and inserted the names of the three trekkers onto the document. Officials said the permit’s QR code, when scanned, displayed information belonging to previous trekkers rather than the current group. The alleged manipulation not only violated tourism regulations but also complicated the initial stages of the rescue effort because authorities were unable to immediately identify the trekkers and the agency responsible for handling them.

Following the findings, the tourism department suspended the registration of the Raithal-based trekking agency, Pro Mountain. Officials have indicated that further action may follow depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.

The incident has once again drawn attention to safety standards in Uttarakhand’s rapidly growing adventure tourism sector. Every year, thousands of trekkers visit remote mountain destinations across the state. While the industry has created employment opportunities and boosted local economies, experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of strict permit verification, guide accountability and emergency preparedness.

For Babita’s family, however, broader policy questions remain secondary to the hope that she will be found. Days after her disappearance, relatives continue to wait anxiously for news while rescue teams push forward despite difficult weather conditions and challenging terrain.

As the search enters another critical phase, investigators face a troubling reality: a young woman disappeared from a popular trekking route, leaving behind almost no clues. Until answers emerge, the mystery surrounding Babita Pandey’s disappearance is likely to remain one of the most closely watched cases in Uttarakhand.