Young army officer goes missing

A young Army officer has gone missing from a train under mysterious circumstances while on his way to join duty in Jammu & Kashmir after leave. The officer, Capt Shikhar Deep, 25, is posted in 8 Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in J&K. He is the son of Lieutenant Colonel Anant Kumar from Mahenderpur in Purnia, Bihar.

Lt Col Kumar, a serving officer of 623 EME Battalion at Ranchi, told this newspaper on Wednesday that his son had spent around 20 days at home out of his leave period for a month. Lt Col Kumar said, “My son boarded the train at 7 pm on February 6. His berth number was AB1-14. He was scheduled to reach Delhi next day at night.”

Later he was to leave for J&K to join his duty. The train was running late meanwhile. Since February 7 we could not contact him on his cellphone.”

Eastern Command chief public relations officer Wing Commander SS Birdi said, “A 5’6” tall Captain Shikhar was wearing a blazer in black and brown, off white T-Shirt, blue jeans and green jungle shoes while travelling on train no 15483 Mahananda Express from Katihar to Delhi on February 6-7. The officer did not reach his destination and went missing during transit.”

Lt Col Kumar said, “My son boarded the train at 7 pm on February 6. His berth number was AB1-14. He was scheduled to reach Delhi next day at night. Later he was to leave for J&K to join his duty. The train was running late meanwhile. Since February 7 we could not contact him on his cellphone.”

He added, “When the train reached Delhi on that day and my nephew went to my son’s berth to receive him, he found my son missing. Only his luggage with his shoes and slippers was lying there. We have lodged a complaint of missing with the Katihar Government Railway Police (GRP) station.”

Lt Col Kumar elaborated, “The Katihar GRP informed us they formed a special team to trace my son. I have neither enmity nor rivalry with anyone. I also do not have any complaint against anyone. I just want my son back safe and sound.” The incident of the officer going missing has been initimated to the Army Headquarters in New Delhi, sources revealed.