An investigation has been launched in the border upazila of Nalitabari, located within the Sherpur district, following the disappearance of five children within a brief period. Among the missing individuals are four students enrolled in local Islamic seminaries (madrasas), three of whom disappeared from the same institution on a single day. The cluster of disappearances has generated significant apprehension among guardians and residents across the locality.
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Timeline and Demographics of the Missing Children
According to institutional and family records, the missing children comprise four residents from the Panchgaon area and one from the Poragaon union. The individuals have been identified as Khondokar Mashrafi, aged 12; Rabbani, aged 10; Tofael, aged 12; Rasel, aged 14; and Israfil Hossain. Notably, Israfil Hossain is a recognized Hafez, having memorised 24 sections (paras) of the Quran.
The chronological sequence of the disappearances began on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, when Israfil Hossain went missing from the Burunga Kalapani area under Poragaon union. This was followed on Saturday, 6 June 2026, by the disappearance of Khondokar Mashrafi, who failed to return home after departing from the Tahfizul Quran Model Madrasa, located in the Araiani Bazar area of Nalitabari town, during the afternoon.
The following day, Sunday, 7 June 2026, three additional students—Rabbani, Tofael, and Rasel—disappeared simultaneously in the afternoon after leaving the Ikra Talimul Nurania Madrasa in Panchgaon.
Statistical Summary of Missing Minors
The table below provides a verified breakdown of the names, ages, parental details, last known locations, and specific dates associated with each missing child:
| Name of Minor | Age | Father’s Name | Permanent Residence / Locality | Associated Institution | Date of Disappearance |
| Israfil Hossain | N/A | Abdul Hai | Burunga Kalapani, Poragaon | Quranic Scholar (24 Paras) | Wednesday, 27 May 2026 |
| Khondokar Mashrafi | 12 | Khondokar Mobarak Hossain | Panchgaon, Nalitabari | Tahfizul Quran Model Madrasa | Saturday, 6 June 2026 |
| Rabbani | 10 | Ukil Miah | Panchgaon, Nalitabari | Ikra Talimul Nurania Madrasa | Sunday, 7 June 2026 |
| Tofael | 12 | Manik Miah | Panchgaon, Nalitabari | Ikra Talimul Nurania Madrasa | Sunday, 7 June 2026 |
| Rasel | 14 | Abdul Awal | Panchgaon, Nalitabari | Ikra Talimul Nurania Madrasa | Sunday, 7 June 2026 |
Family Responses and Community Concerns
Family members of the missing children stated that extensive searches were conducted across various potential locations immediately after the minors failed to return to their respective homes. Having exhausted local search options without discovering any leads, the relatives formally approached law enforcement authorities to file multiple General Diaries (GDs) at the local police station. In addition to statutory legal measures, families are utilizing digital networks and social media platforms to circulate photographs and identifying descriptions of the children to solicit assistance from the public.
Local residents have expressed growing concern regarding the safety of minors in the upazila due to the high frequency of these incidents occurring within a narrow geographical area. Community members have formally requested that the local administration implement more rigorous preventative measures and scale up active search operations to locate and safely return the children to their families.
Official Statement from Law Enforcement
The police administration has confirmed that the situation is being treated with priority. Commenting officially on the ongoing multi-agency response, the Additional Superintendent of Police, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, stated:
“The matter is being thoroughly investigated. Multiple General Diaries (GDs) have been formally registered at the relevant police station regarding these disappearances.”
Dedicated law enforcement teams have been deployed to track the movements of the children prior to their disappearances and to monitor transit points out of the Sherpur district.