Missing Ranchi Siblings Rescued After 13 Days, Two Arrested
Ranchi Police successfully free two children in major anti-trafficking operation.
Two children, seven-year-old Ansh Kumar and his six-year-old sister Anshika Kumari, who went missing from Shalimar Market in Ranchi’s Dhurwa area on January 2, were safely rescued by police on Wednesday morning after 13 days. The siblings were recovered from Chitarpur in neighbouring Ramgarh district during a meticulously planned operation. Ranchi Police arrested two men from Aurangabad, Bihar, suspected of masterminding the abduction.
The breakthrough came under ‘Operation Masoom,’ led by SSP Rakesh Ranjan with special oversight from CID ADG Manoj Kaushik. Following the disappearance, authorities launched an intensive search that included pasting posters across the city, displaying photographs on public transport, verifying hundreds of vehicles present at Shalimar Market on the day of the incident, and appealing for information through publicised mobile numbers and WhatsApp statuses. A reward of Rs 4 lakh had also been announced for credible leads.
The investigation revealed possible links to a larger inter-state human trafficking network, prompting police to connect the case with similar incidents reported in other states. The arrested accused are currently under interrogation to identify additional members of the syndicate. Authorities have indicated that more arrests are likely as the probe deepens to dismantle the entire criminal network responsible for such abductions.
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Chief Minister Hemant Soren personally praised the Ranchi Police team for their persistence and efficiency in tracing the children unharmed. In a post on X, he described the operation as commendable, noting how officers connected critical dots despite initial challenges. Soren expressed deep relief at the safe return of the two innocent lives and assured strict punishment for those involved, while directing a thorough probe into similar cases within and beyond Jharkhand.
Director General of Police Anurag Gupta congratulated the officers involved, highlighting their courage and dedication. She confirmed that all personnel who contributed to the successful rescue would receive appropriate rewards. The DGP emphasised that exposing and breaking the suspected trafficking syndicate remains a top priority, with the ongoing investigation expected to yield further revelations in the coming days.
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