A 15-year-old marksman selected for national trials went missing in Howrah

Fifteen-year-old national rifleman Damayanti Sen has gone missing from West Bengal’s Howrah district under mysterious circumstances, prompting the police to launch an investigation and a search operation.

Damayanti, a resident of Umacharan Bhattacharya Lane in central Howrah, reportedly left her home on Friday morning to buy a few items from a nearby shop but did not return. After an unsuccessful search, her family turned to the police and filed a missing person’s complaint.

According to her family, Damayanti was last seen on the platform at Howrah railway station. Her cell phone was found at home, leaving investigators with limited information about her movements after she got out.

Her father Dhruvajyoti Sen said the teenager recently got an opportunity to participate in the national team trials after impressing in rifle competitions. He described her as a disciplined athlete who followed a strict training routine and showed no signs of distress before her disappearance.

“She trained every morning and went to bed early the night before, as she usually does. She didn’t argue or anything unusual at home before leaving,” her father said, expressing hope that she would return safely.

The disappearance sparked concern among family members, friends and fellow shooters, many of whom took to social media to share her photo and ask for information on her whereabouts.

A senior Howrah city police officer said a case has been registered and several teams have been deployed to trace the teenager.

“After receiving the lost diary, a case has been registered. Wherever we get leads, police teams will reach those places and conduct inquiries and investigations,” the officer said.

Police are examining CCTV footage from locations around her home and Howrah railway station, while also speaking to people who may have come into contact with the teenager before she went missing.

Authorities have urged anyone with information related to Damayanti Sen’s whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or the Howrah Municipal Police immediately. The investigation is ongoing, officials are following all available leads to track down the young shooter as soon as possible.

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Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

18 Jul 2026 0:35 AM IST