A recent incident has baffled the authorities at the prestigious Infantry School in Mhow, close to Indore. An officer, newly inducted into the Army, vanished during his compulsory Young Officers (YO) training. Such an occurrence, where an officer disappears during post-commissioning training, is unheard of.
Lieutenant Mohit Gupta, a native of Etah in Uttar Pradesh, was reported absent during the morning Physical Training (PT) session on Friday. Deepak Rathore, the acting head of the Mhow police station, informed media outlets that by Saturday afternoon, a subedar from the YO division reported the officer missing. Police have since initiated their search. Initial findings reveal that Lt. Gupta was last sighted in his PT attire in his accommodation at around 6 am.
It’s routine for all officers and ranks to gather for PT at 6 am. Lt. Gupta’s absence prompted instructors to enquire about his health from fellow trainees. However, his quarters were empty. At about 7:30 am, concerns escalated, and an extensive search within the military establishment commenced. When initial efforts yielded no results, local police were notified. Rathore mentioned that despite having Lt. Gupta’s phone details, they couldn’t reach him as his phone was turned off. Efforts are in progress to gather his call logs. His family in Etah’s Shrangar area has been alerted. Notably, Lt. Gupta’s motorcycle was left untouched, suggesting he might have left on foot.
Mhow, located approximately 25km from Indore, is renowned for the Army War College and the Infantry School. The latter institution offers training in tactics, weapons, and leadership for young officers, JCOs, and NCOs. The setup at the Infantry School mirrors the rigorous discipline of the Academy. Personnel aren’t permitted to exit the premises without proper authorization. All essential facilities are available within the school’s confines, managed by civilian vendors. For any exigencies requiring an exit from the campus, one needs appropriate clearance.
