NEW DELHI, April 19 -- The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Delhi Police's Crime Branch has rescued a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly lured through social media by a boy, underlining the growing online risks faced by children.
According to officials, the minor had gone missing from the Shahbad Dairy area on January 22, raising serious concern due to her age. An FIR was registered on January 25, following which a dedicated AHTU team launched a focused search operation.
Led by Inspector Manoj Dahiya and supervised by ACP Suresh Kumar, the team used a combination of technical surveillance, field intelligence and coordinated raids to track her movements across state lines.
Investigations revealed that the girl had befriended a boy on Instagram.
Over time, the interaction developed into a sense of trust, eventually leading the boy to travel to Delhi and persuade her to leave with him. The two then travelled to Sikar in Rajasthan, raising fears of potential exploitation.
Acting on digital leads and surveillance inputs, police teams conducted multiple raids in Rajasthan before tracing the girl's movement back to Delhi. She was eventually located and safely rescued from the ISBT Sarai Kale Khan area, bringing relief to her family.
Officials said the timely intervention helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
They also highlighted a rising trend of minors being influenced by strangers online, sometimes leading to elopement or exploitation.
The Delhi Police has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant about their children's online activities and to maintain open communication on digital safety.
Police urged youngsters not to trust strangers online, avoid sharing personal details, and inform family before meeting anyone.
Awareness and coordination remain key to ensuring children's safety online.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.