Two Missing Uttarakhand Girls from Dehradun District Found in Punjab After Online Gaming Connection

Two teenage girls from the Dehradun district in Uttarakhand, who left home without notifying their families to meet an online gaming friend, have been located and safely returned, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Girls Traced Through Electronic Surveillance

The missing girls, aged 13 and 17, were eventually spotted at a bus stand in Rajpura, Punjab, thanks to advanced electronic surveillance. The search was initiated after a concerned resident of Vikasnagar in Dehradun filed a complaint, reporting that his 13-year-old niece and her 17-year-old neighborhood friend had been missing since February 2.

Extensive Police Investigation

Following the report, law enforcement registered a case under relevant provisions and launched a comprehensive investigation. Officers conducted interviews with family members, neighbors, and peers of the missing minors, while also analyzing CCTV footage. Social media played a crucial role as information regarding the girls was widely disseminated to aid the search.

Initial efforts traced the girls to Ambala in Haryana. However, by the time a police team reached Ambala, the girls had moved. Continued surveillance led the investigation to Rajpura in Punjab, where they were finally located at a bus terminal.

Online Gaming Connection Uncovered

During questioning, the girls revealed that they had run away on their own to meet a friend they connected with while playing an online multiplayer game. They assured authorities that their actions were not linked to any criminal activities. After the investigation, the girls were handed over to their respective families.

This case underscores the importance of monitoring online interactions and educating young users about safe digital practices, especially as virtual friendships continue to influence real-world decisions.