SUNSARI: Two Armed Police Force (APF) personnel went missing on Thursday during a rescue drill conducted in the Saptakoshi River near the Koshi Barrage.

The missing officers have been identified as Suraj Saud and Hardev Rajbanshi, according to the Armed Police Force’s Madhesh Province Office based in Bardibas.

Authorities said the duo was participating in a flood rescue training exercise when they went missing. Both officers were equipped with oxygen masks at the time of the drill.

Saptari Police Chief Dhakendra Khatiwada confirmed the disappearance and informed that additional police teams from both Sunsari and Saptari districts have been deployed to intensify the ongoing search and rescue operation.