Plane crash that wasn’t: Why Chhattisgarh officials spent hours searching the hills

The Jashpur police, forest officials and the district administration undertook a search operation for a couple of hours but did not find any evidence that could confirm the incident, they said.

The Chhattisgarh administration on Monday rushed a team to the hills of Narayanpur after reports that a plane had crashed there, only to find that no such incident had taken place.

The Jashpur police, forest officials and the district administration undertook a search operation for a couple of hours but did not find any evidence that could confirm the incident, they said.

Speaking with the media on Monday evening, Jashpur collector Rohit Vyas said, “Through the media, we received information about a plane crash in the Narayanpur area of Jashpur. Soon after receiving the information, the Jashpur SP, I and our entire team reached the spot. They went up the hill and inspected the area. But we did not find any kind of evidence.”

“We are also surveilling the area using drones. Even forest officials are searching the hill as well as the surrounding forest. We also spoke with villagers who said they have not heard or seen any explosion. Till now, no one has reported a missing plane,” added Vyas.

An official statement by the Chhattisgarh government read, “Reports are being circulated regarding a plane crash in the hills of Narayanpur in the Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh. There is no information confirming any such accident.”

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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The Chhattisgarh administration on Monday rushed a team to the hills of Narayanpur after reports that a plane had crashed there, only to find that no such incident had taken place.

The Jashpur police, forest officials and the district administration undertook a search operation for a couple of hours but did not find any evidence that could confirm the incident, they said.

Speaking with the media on Monday evening, Jashpur collector Rohit Vyas said, “Through the media, we received information about a plane crash in the Narayanpur area of Jashpur. Soon after receiving the information, the Jashpur SP, I and our entire team reached the spot. They went up the hill and inspected the area. But we did not find any kind of evidence.”

“We are also surveilling the area using drones. Even forest officials are searching the hill as well as the surrounding forest. We also spoke with villagers who said they have not heard or seen any explosion. Till now, no one has reported a missing plane,” added Vyas.

An official statement by the Chhattisgarh government read, “Reports are being circulated regarding a plane crash in the hills of Narayanpur in the Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh. There is no information confirming any such accident.”