Bhubaneswar, July 8 -- A massive multi-agency search operation ended on a positive note after two youths who had gone missing in the Jhanj Hills under Odisha's Padampur Sub-Division were traced safely following nearly 20 hours of intensive search on Wednesday.

The missing youths, identified as Raj Mallik and Ganesh Duduka from Kansingha village, had ventured into the Kuthikhol area near Jhanj Hills on Tuesday. However, they reportedly lost their way in the dense forest and hilly terrain, leaving their families worried after all communication with them was lost.

Upon receiving information from the family members, the local administration launched a coordinated rescue operation. Personnel from the Forest Department, Fire Services and the ...