Search teams have intensified operations in Sikkim’s Gyalshing district as the hunt continues for a missing trekker who vanished along the high-altitude Goechala route. The missing tourist, identified as 31-year-old Sandeepan Roy from West Bengal, disappeared on April 21 during a challenging expedition in the remote stretches of West Sikkim. Authorities confirmed that Roy had embarked on the trek from Yuksom on April 19, accompanied by six other tourists and a guide.
The group advanced steadily through the steep trails of the Kanchenjunga National Park and neared Tahgshing when they discovered Roy’s sudden disappearance. Panic spread among the trekkers as their calls and searches yielded no signs of Roy. They immediately alerted the local police station, prompting swift initial efforts to locate him. Local police and forest officials launched ground-level searches, while residents from nearby villages volunteered to aid the rescue.
As the days progressed without any significant leads, the situation prompted a full-scale intervention. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Sikkim Police launched coordinated operations to expand the search in the rugged mountainous terrain. Officials from the NDRF confirmed that they deployed trained personnel equipped for high-altitude search missions. The SSB, which operates along the border regions, also committed its resources to assist with logistics and on-ground reconnaissance.
Sikkim Police worked in tandem with other agencies to map out the route Roy could have taken and identify potential hazards along the way. Drone surveillance was introduced to scan deep valleys and cliff edges inaccessible to human searchers. The forest department extended support by providing guides familiar with the dense Himalayan trails, adding depth to the mission.
Roy’s family, devastated by the news, reached Gyalshing on April 23 and appealed to the administration to leave no stone unturned in the search. His mother and brother expressed hope while thanking authorities for their continued efforts. The district administration responded swiftly by increasing ground personnel and arranging emergency medical teams in case Roy was found in distress.
The search teams battled unpredictable weather conditions, with light snowfall and low visibility slowing progress in the higher elevations. Yet, officials continued operations daily, starting at dawn and moving in multiple directions from the last known location. The guide who had accompanied the group gave a detailed briefing to police, describing Roy’s physical and mental condition before the disappearance. According to him, Roy had shown no signs of fatigue or distress during the climb.
Environmental factors like loose gravel paths, sudden drops, and thick undergrowth complicate the mission. Still, the teams continue to comb through the region. The administration also kept in touch with state disaster management authorities and requested additional thermal imaging devices to aid night searches.
Local communities along the Goechala trail have stepped up to assist rescue efforts by offering shelter, food, and manpower to support the teams. Residents of Yuksom, Tshoka, and Dzongri have played a critical role in navigating alternate paths and checking isolated shelters or resting points along the trail.
The tourism department of Sikkim has meanwhile urged all trekkers to register their travel itineraries and ensure they adhere to safety protocols. Officials stressed the importance of staying with the group, especially on high-altitude routes like Goechala, known for its rugged beauty but also for its dangers.
As search operations enter their second week, officials remain committed to continuing the mission until Roy is found. Authorities plan to reassess their strategies daily and deploy additional forces as necessary. They emphasized that despite the difficulties posed by terrain and weather, the resolve to locate the missing trekker remains firm and focused.
The rescue teams also received support from Indian Army units stationed near the Indo-Nepal border, who offered satellite communication tools to improve coordination in the remote zones. These tools helped link various search teams spread across multiple altitudes, ensuring smoother and faster relay of findings. Officials said this connectivity could prove vital if any signs of movement or shelter are detected in isolated patches of forest.
Medical experts from the health department joined the operation and briefed teams on how to handle hypothermia or altitude sickness should Roy be found alive. With night temperatures dipping below freezing, the possibility of medical distress remains high, and time is crucial. Portable oxygen kits and first-aid supplies are now part of every search team’s loadout.
In a parallel move, authorities activated a network of checkpoints across trekking exit points, monitoring all incoming and outgoing foot traffic. They also circulated Roy’s photo and description among all trekkers, guides, and porters in the region, urging them to report any sightings or related clues immediately.
Meanwhile, Sikkim’s tourism minister expressed concern over the incident and promised to revise trekking guidelines and improve GPS tracking measures for all permitted trekkers. He noted that while adventure tourism is a growing sector, safety must evolve alongside popularity. Discussions are underway to make satellite trackers compulsory for all treks in high-risk zones.
Despite the passage of days, Roy’s family has remained hopeful. They have lit candles near the base of the trail daily and have urged other families not to lose faith in such situations. Their courage has inspired locals, many of whom have joined the search as volunteers, even venturing deep into dense forested regions rarely touched by regular trekkers.
Officials plan to continue full-scale operations through the weekend, with contingency plans in place to airlift personnel to even more remote high points if necessary. Search leaders reiterated that every effort would continue until they found answers, with the collective goal of reuniting Sandeepan Roy with his loved ones.