Missing tourist: Search area expanded beyond Perak borders, says the police

IPOH: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a tourist from India, who has been missing Sept 22 while hiking at Gunung Jasar, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands in Pahang, was expanded beyond the Perak border on Friday (Sept 29).

Cameron Highlands OCPD Deputy Supt Azri Ramli said a team of rescuers comprising 93 officers and personnel from various agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like the Malim Gunung Cameron Highlands and Radio Communication and Recreation Club, had been mobilised to continue searching.

ALSO READ: Missing hiker: Searchers find footprints believed to be that of Indian tourist

He said police have also sought the help of a helicopter from the Air Operation Force based in Ipoh to survey areas that were difficult to access by the SAR team on the fifth day of the search mission.

He said the control post at the scene has also been joined by the Cameron Highlands Information Department and Cameron Highlands District Health Office.

ALSO READ: Indian tourist goes missing while hiking in Cameron Highlands

“Today, the search mission has entered its sixth day and a total of 101 people from various agencies have joined the search operation,” he said in a statement Saturday (Sept 30).

As such, DSP Azri told the public not to speculate about the incident and to contact the operations room at 05-491 5999 or the nearest police station if they have any information.

He also advised the public not to disseminate unverified information on social media.

ALSO READ: SAR op for missing Indian tourist resumes

Azri had previously said in a statement that Nandan Suresh Nadkarni, 44, was reported missing after climbing Gunung Jasar, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands on Sept 22.

The victim had checked into Hikers Sleep Port Guest House, Tanah Rata on Sept 19 and was supposed to check out on Sept 24.

Preliminary police investigations found that the victim left the hotel alone on Sept 22 to hike up trail 10 of Gunung Jasar, Tanah Rata, based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage obtained from around the Tanah Rata area. – BK