Indian Navy personnel from Odisha posted at INS Garuda ‘missing’; family suspects kidnapping

It is almost four days that an Indian Navy personnel from Odisha is allegedly missing. The Navy officer, identified as Saurabh Kumar Patra, allegedly went missing during his journey from his hometown in Berhampur to Kochi on January 19. 

Initial sources said Patra was en route to join his duty as an acting leading communicator at INS Garuda when he reportedly went missing after boarding a train to Visakhapatnam from Berhampur.

Patra's phone has been unreachable since his mysterious disappearance, leading his family to suspect possible abduction. They have lodged a complaint at Berhampur Town Police Station. The last detected location of his mobile phone was Ichapuram, according to family sources.

Saurabh's mother, Nitu Patra has made a public appeal for help from both authorities and the Indian Navy to locate her son. 

The Indian Navy officer Saurabh Patra family stays at Gate Bazar area in Berhampur. He joined the Indian Navy in 2019 and was recently posted at INS Garuda in Kochi. He had come to his home on leave in December 2024.

Indian Navy Personnel Missing Case - Unanswered Questions:

Saurabh Patra was last seen boarding a train at Berhampur railway station. He was supposed to catch a flight from Visakhapatnam to Kochi later. 

Family members informed that Visakhapatnam Airport officials confirmed Patra did not board his intended flight. 

“My son had come home in Berhampur and stayed with us for 15 days. He had left home and boarded a train on January 19.  He had informed us to call in the morning. But we could not contact him as his mobile was switched off,” said the missing officer’s mother.

Brother of the missing Navy officer said, “My brother had come to attend a marriage function. He appeared quite normal and we did not notice anything suspicious.”