Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Family Seeks Kerala Help to Find Missing Lakshadweep Policemen
Two Lakshadweep police personnel have been missing since August 11.
Their boat had an accident while they were patrolling near Suheli island.
The missing personnel are Nabeel and Hidayathulla.
A third officer, Umar Farooq, survived by swimming to safety.
Nabeel’s brother asked officials to consider getting extra help from Kerala.
He said Kerala is nearby and may have useful boats, divers and equipment.
The family said this was a humble request, not a demand.
Helicopters, fishermen, police, the Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for the missing men.
Police personnel Nabeel K M and Hidayathulla K C have been missing since August 11.
Their police boat reportedly met with an accident while patrolling near Suheli, an uninhabited Lakshadweep island.
Nabeel’s brother, Mohammed Naseeb K M, asked the Kavaratti District Collector to seek help from Kerala.
Naseeb cited Kerala’s proximity and experience with maritime emergencies, search-and-rescue operations, vessels and diving resources.
A helicopter, local fishermen’s boats, police, the Coast Guard and other agencies are involved in the ongoing search.
- Who
- Police Constables Nabeel K M and Hidayathulla K C are missing; Nabeel’s brother Mohammed Naseeb K M requested additional assistance.
- What
- A search is underway after a police boat carrying three personnel met with an accident during patrolling.
- When
- The personnel went missing on August 11; the report is dated August 20.
- Where
- The incident occurred near Suheli, an uninhabited island in Lakshadweep.
- Why
- The family wants officials to consider help from Kerala because of its geographical proximity and maritime search-and-rescue experience.
- Missing personnel
- Nabeel K M, 34, from Kavaratti, and Hidayathulla K C, 49, from Andrott
- Survivor
- Umar Farooq, from Amini Island, survived after swimming to safety
- Incident date
- August 11
- Incident location
- Near Suheli, an uninhabited island in Lakshadweep
- Family request
- Mohammed Naseeb K M asked the Kavaratti District Collector to consider seeking help from Kerala
- Search resources
- A helicopter and boats operated by local Kavaratti fishermen are assisting the search
- Participating agencies
- The administration, police, Coast Guard, fishermen and other agencies