Twenty-three Forest Department officials and three accompanying personnel who had gone out of contact while carrying out official duties in Assam's Dima Hasao district have been traced safely after an intensive search operation lasting nearly two days.

The team had been conducting patrolling, combing operations and an official forest survey in remote forest areas along the Dima Hasao–Karbi Anglong–Nagaland border, where mobile network connectivity is poor and communication is often unreliable.

Their loss of contact since Friday had raised serious concern among the authorities and prompted a coordinated search effort involving the Forest Department, Assam Police and the district administration.Drones and a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) team were also deployed to assist in locating the missing personnel.Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah confirmed through a public statement that all members of the team had been found safe.

He explained that the communication breakdown was caused by the difficult terrain and limited network coverage rather than any confirmed security incident.

The minister also acknowledged the dedication of the forest officials, noting that they routinely work in challenging and isolated environments to protect forests, wildlife and the state's natural heritage.

The survey team, led by Ranger Donmai Thaosen, had departed to conduct fieldwork in the Lanting, Hatikhali and Khepre areas and included staff from the Langting, Manderdisa, Hatikhola and Maibong forest ranges.

Authorities expressed gratitude to all agencies involved in the successful search and rescue effort, while highlighting the demanding conditions under which forest personnel perform their duties.