National-Level Teen Shooter Missing After Leaving Home for Groceries; Traced Safe After 48-Hour Search

Kolkata | July 18, 2026: A 15-year-old national-level rifle shooter from Howrah, Damayanti Sen, who went missing after stepping out to buy household groceries, has been safely traced by the police after an intensive search operation that lasted nearly 48 hours. The case had sparked widespread concern across West Bengal’s sporting community and on social media.

According to police, Damayanti, a resident of Umacharan Bhattacharya Lane in central Howrah, left her home on Thursday morning to purchase household items but did not return. After unsuccessful attempts to locate her among friends, relatives, and fellow shooters, her family lodged a missing person complaint with the local police.

CCTV Last Captured Her at Howrah Station

Investigators reviewed CCTV footage, which showed the teenager moving between Platforms 4 and 5 at Howrah Railway Station. This became the last confirmed sighting, prompting authorities to launch an extensive search involving multiple police teams and the detective department. The disappearance gained significant public attention as Damayanti had recently been selected for the national team trials and was regarded as one of West Bengal’s promising young rifle shooters.

Family Expressed Shock

Her parents told investigators that Damayanti maintained a disciplined training schedule and had shown no signs of distress before leaving home. They also stated there had been no recent family disagreements or unusual behaviour that could explain her sudden disappearance. Friends, fellow athletes, and local residents joined online campaigns to help trace her whereabouts.

Latest Update: Teenager Found Safe

In the latest development, Howrah Police confirmed that Damayanti has been located safely and is currently under police care while legal formalities are completed. According to preliminary information, the teenager reportedly told investigators that she had travelled to several places before eventually returning to Howrah. She also indicated that she had been experiencing extreme stress, although police are continuing to verify the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Authorities have not reported any evidence of foul play at this stage.

Investigation Continues

Police have stated that further questioning will be conducted to establish the complete sequence of events and determine what led to the teenager leaving home. Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation until the investigation is concluded.