Police tracked down the missing boy using a drone within two hours

A 12-year-old boy, who allegedly left home after an argument over a mobile phone, was tracked down within two hours by the Gudupalle police in Chittoor district with the assistance of a surveillance drone.

The boy, a resident of Nalagampalli village in Gudupalle mandal in Kuppam constituency, left home on Tuesday morning after his parents allegedly refused to give him a mobile phone. As he returned only in the evening, his father filed a missing person’s complaint at the Gudupalla police station.

A team led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Srinivasulu launched a search. With no clear leads and with fading daylight, the team deployed a surveillance drone and scanned the fields, hills and isolated stretches around the village. The boy was eventually found at a bus stop near the Tamil Nadu border and taken to a police station. After consultation, he was handed over to his parents.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Dudi appreciated the Gudupalle police for their quick response and effective use of technology.

Published – 23 Sep 2026 18:58 IST