Jammu: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Jammu division rescued 34 minor children who were separated from their families or found missing at railway stations and trains and reunited them with their parents or guardians during 2026 under its special campaign “Operation Nanhe Farishte”, officials said.
Of the 34 children rescued, 24 were boys and 10 were girls, they said.
“Operation Nanhe Farishte” is a humanitarian initiative of the Indian Railways and RPF aimed at tracing children who are lost, separated from their families or have run away, ensuring their safety and eventually reuniting them with their families.
The rescued children were provided immediate care, food and protection before being produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), as required under the law, officials said.
Following completion of the requisite legal formalities and verification of their identities, all the children were safely handed over to their parents or guardians, they said.
Divisional Railway Manager, Jammu, Vivek Kumar, lauded the efforts of RPF personnel and said the safety of passengers, particularly children and women, remains a priority for the Railways.
“The work done by the RPF personnel of Jammu Division under the ‘Nanhe Farishte’ campaign is highly commendable. We will further strengthen such campaigns so that no child remains unsafe on railway premises,” he said.
Under the campaign, RPF personnel maintain vigil and patrol railway stations and trains to identify and assist children found alone or in vulnerable circumstances.
Officials said the initiative also helps protect vulnerable children from traffickers, criminals and other forms of exploitation.
The RPF has appealed to passengers to remain vigilant about the safety of children during train journeys and immediately inform the RPF helpline 139 or the nearest RPF post if a child is found alone or wandering.
