Himachal Pradesh Police traced 1,172 of the 1,328 people reported missing across the state between January 1 and September 30, 2026, recording a tracing rate of 88.7 per cent, officials told news agency Press Trust of India.The police registered 893 missing-person cases involving 1,328 individuals during the nine-month period. The figures provided by officials listed 722 adults and 470 children among those traced.Around 20 per cent of the missing people were traced within 24 hours, while 20.9 per cent were found within 24 to 72 hours.

Another 47.9 per cent were traced after 72 hours, according to PTI.In a statement, Director General of Police Ashok Tewari said the state had strengthened its system for registering, investigating and tracing missing-person cases after the Supreme Court issued directions on May 22, 2026, in the G Ganesh vs State of Tamil Nadu and Others case. “The court had emphasised that an FIR must be registered immediately upon receiving information about a missing person, without insisting on any mandatory waiting period,” Tewari said.He said detailed instructions were issued to all field units on June 6. They called for the immediate registration of FIRs, prompt search operations, special attention to cases involving missing children and regular monitoring by senior officers.

The police have also focused on quicker searches, timely sharing of information, effective use of technology and coordination among police stations, districts and neighbouring states, Tewari said.The DGP urged people to report missing persons, particularly children, without delay. He also cautioned against the misconception that a person must remain missing for 24 hours before a police complaint can be filed.Overall, police traced 88.7 per cent of the people reported missing in Himachal Pradesh during the nine-month period, while stressing that complaints can be lodged immediately and no 24-hour waiting period applies.- Ends