Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Assam Rifles soldiers pulled a 10-year-old boy from a train in Agartala on August 23. Joseph Mao went missing from Neisatuo Colony in Dimapur, Nagaland, before his solo trek. He carried only a school bag. He had no idea where he was going. He could not explain why he boarded the train.
Rifleman Lawrance Hrangkhawl spotted the boy riding the rails alone. He acted fast. Hrangkhawl alerted his superiors and moved the child to the Assam Rifles post in Radhanagar, Tripura. The unit worked to identify the boy. They eventually found a social media alert regarding a missing child. It matched the boy exactly. This discovery allowed them to contact his parents.
The unit alerted local police to finalize the hand-off. The troops secured the child's safety throughout the ordeal. Reflecting on the rescue, officials stated, "Showing alertness and presence of mind, Rifleman Hrangkhawl immediately informed his seniors and brought the child to the Assam Rifles location at Radhanagar in Agartala, Tripura, ensuring his safety." Authorities are now coordinating the final steps to return the boy to his home.
Updated at 25th August 2026 at 6:00pm
The recovery has brought relief to a family facing hours of anxiety following the disappearance. Officials noted that the case proves how critical alert soldiers and quick coordination via social media remain when tracking down missing people. The unit's fast action kept the child from potential harm while providing a sense of security to the local community.
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