Tripura Tourist Missing in Nagaland’s Dzükou Valley Found Dead

A domestic tourist from Tripura who had gone missing in Nagaland’s Dzükou Valley earlier this year was found dead on Friday night, bringing a tragic end to a weeks-long search effort.

The deceased has been identified as Pranab Das, son of Bikash Das and a resident of Srinagar district in West Tripura. His body was discovered by firefighters engaged in controlling the ongoing wildfire in the Dzükou Valley area.

Confirming the development, Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) president Zasitsolie Beio said the body was recovered from a location above a cave near Jakhama camp, an area not typically used by trekkers.

Pranab Das had been missing since January 4, 2026. The case was formally reported to SAYO on January 13, prompting the organisation to launch an extensive search and rescue operation.

Preliminary verification showed that Das was last recorded at the Dzükou ticketing counter in Viswema on January 4, confirming that he had entered the trekking route toward Dzükou Valley. However, there was no official record of his arrival at the Dzükou Valley base camp.

SAYO subsequently coordinated a large-scale joint search operation involving more than 200 volunteers. The effort included personnel from South Police Station and Khuzama Police Station, officials of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), members of the Southern Angami Tour Guide Council (SATGC), and volunteers from several Southern Angami villages.

Search teams combed all major trekking routes leading to Dzükou Valley and conducted extensive ground searches across the valley. Drone-assisted aerial searches were also carried out with technical support from experts. Das’s father, uncle, and brother joined the search efforts between January 13 and January 16.

Despite sustained efforts over several days, no trace of the missing tourist was initially found, and the search operation was called off on January 17. The body was later recovered during firefighting operations in the area.

Authorities are expected to complete necessary formalities, and further investigation is underway.