Gujarat Police trace 1,470 missing persons in Operation Milap
Synopsis
Gujarat Police's 'Operation Milap' traced 1,470 missing persons in just one month — including 852 women and 234 minor girls — by reopening cases as old as 2007. With recoveries spanning seven states and adolescent girls emerging as the largest at-risk group, the operation exposes both the scale of Gujarat's missing-persons backlog and the inter-state networks that complicate these cases.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Police traced 1,470 missing persons during Operation Milap , launched on 7 May and concluded in June 2024 .
Of those traced, 852 were women , 342 were men , 42 were minor boys , and 234 were minor girls .
Surat City Police led all districts with 341 recoveries .
A total of 24,767 people have been reported missing in Gujarat since 2007 , according to police records.
Recoveries were linked to seven states including Rajasthan , Uttar Pradesh , Bihar , and West Bengal .
Adolescent girls aged 14 to 17 were identified as the largest category among missing persons cases.
Gujarat Police traced 1,470 missing persons during a month-long statewide operation called 'Operation Milap', launched on 7 May across the state, reuniting hundreds of women and children with their families after reopening long-pending cases dating back nearly two decades, officials said on 10 June. The drive marks one of the most comprehensive missing-persons recoveries in the state's recent policing history.
Scale of the Operation
According to police records, 24,767 people have been reported missing in Gujarat since 2007, prompting authorities to undertake a focused review of old and unresolved cases. Of the 1,470 persons traced, 852 were women, 342 were men, 42 were minor boys, and 234 were minor girls. Surat City Police recorded the highest number of recoveries, tracing 341 missing persons — nearly a quarter of the total.
How Police Tracked the Missing
The operation involved a comprehensive review of old case files, fresh field verification, and the use of technical and intelligence-based inputs. Police teams examined digital records, monitored social media activity, visited public transport hubs and shelter homes, and re-established contact with complainants and witnesses to generate new leads.
Ajay Choudhary, Additional Director General of Police, CID Crime (Women Cell), described the methodology: 'The entire operation was conducted on the basis of technical inputs and intelligence gathering. It included a detailed review of old case records and fresh field verification. Police teams examined digital records, social media activity, public transport hubs and shelter homes. They also reconnected with complainants and witnesses to develop new leads.'
Key Findings on Missing Persons
Preliminary findings showed that adolescent girls aged 14 to 17 formed the largest category among missing persons cases. Among the leading reasons for disappearances in this group were romantic relationships and incidents of running away from home. Other factors included parental reprimands, academic failure, and domestic disputes. Authorities also recorded cases involving members of migrant labour families who went missing while relocating for work.
Notably, recoveries were linked to multiple states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, and West Bengal — underscoring the inter-state dimension of missing-persons cases in Gujarat, a state with significant migrant labour inflows.
What Comes Next
Gujarat Director General of Police G.S. Malik confirmed that the conclusion of the special drive will not halt efforts. 'Although the special drive to trace missing persons has concluded, our efforts will not stop here. Police officers have been instructed to continue working on missing persons cases alongside their regular policing duties,' Malik said. Investigations into remaining unresolved cases are set to continue as part of routine policing duties.
Point of View
470 traced — is significant, but the larger story is the 24,767 still unaccounted for since 2007. The finding that adolescent girls form the single largest category is not a new pattern; it reflects a systemic gap in early-intervention and school-retention infrastructure that policing alone cannot fix. The inter-state dimension — recoveries linked to seven states — also points to the limits of state-level drives when missing-persons networks cross jurisdictions. The DGP's assurance that efforts will continue is welcome, but institutionalising this as a standing protocol, rather than a periodic campaign, is the real test.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Milap launched by Gujarat Police?
Operation Milap is a month-long statewide missing-persons drive launched by Gujarat Police on 7 May, aimed at locating missing individuals and reuniting them with their families. The operation traced 1,470 missing persons by reviewing old case files, using digital records, and coordinating with other states.
How many missing persons were traced in Operation Milap?
Gujarat Police traced 1,470 missing persons during the operation, including 852 women, 342 men, 42 minor boys, and 234 minor girls. Surat City Police recorded the highest number of recoveries at 341.
Why are so many people reported missing in Gujarat?
According to police records, 24,767 people have been reported missing in Gujarat since 2007. Preliminary findings indicate that among adolescent girls, the leading causes include romantic relationships, running away from home, parental reprimands, academic failure, and domestic disputes. Migrant labour movement also contributes to disappearances.
Which districts or states were involved in the recoveries?
Surat City led district-level recoveries with 341 persons traced. The operation also recorded recoveries linked to seven other states: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, highlighting the inter-state scale of missing-persons cases.
Will Gujarat Police continue searching for missing persons after Operation Milap?
Yes. Gujarat DGP G.S. Malik confirmed that police officers have been instructed to continue working on missing persons cases alongside regular duties. Investigations into unresolved cases will continue beyond the conclusion of the special campaign.
