In a gripping display of courage and teamwork, an 11-year-old boy was safely pulled from a narrow rock cave in the Chorakhol hills of Nayagarh district after spending nearly 10 terrifying hours stuck inside while trying to collect honey.
Shiba Pradhan, son of Kuni Pradhan from Baunsgadia village under Odagaon police station, had gone early Wednesday morning with his grandfather Ram Pradhan to gather wild honey from the forested hill. Eager to reach a honeycomb deep inside a rocky cave, the adventurous boy squeezed his way in headfirst. Moments later, he was wedged tight — unable to move forward or backwards.
Ram Pradhan tried desperately to pull his grandson out but failed. He rushed to the village for help. Dozens of locals hurried to the remote hilltop, but the massive boulders blocking the cave entrance proved too stubborn. With time ticking, they alerted the Odagaon Fire Services.
What unfolded next was a marathon rescue mission that united Odagaon and Nayagarh fire teams with the elite Striking Force from Bhubaneswar. For 10 gruelling hours, rescuers battled against the clock. Villagers tied thick ropes around 50-ton boulders, firefighters carefully cut through stone, while a steady stream of fresh air was pumped inside using fans and blowers. Rescuers kept talking to Shiva, boosting his morale as aggressive bees — disturbed by the honeycomb — swarmed and stung everyone in sight.
Inside the dark, cramped cave, Shiba showed remarkable calm. Outside, his mother stood with tears in her eyes, praying fervently, while his little sister waited anxiously for her brother’s return.
While Shiba was trapped inside the rock cave, a massive python was hiding right next to him in the same rocky crevice. The giant snake came into view of the camera team during the rescue operation. However, it was found that the python had not caused any harm or injury to Shiba.
The breakthrough came when the Bhubaneswar Striking Force arrived and used precision air-jacks to slowly lift the giant rock. First, Shiba’s neck emerged into daylight. Minutes later, the exhausted but smiling boy was gently freed. He was immediately rushed to the Odagaon Community Health Centre for medical examination.
In the evening, the Director of Fire Services personally visited the hospital to check on Shiva’s condition and praise the teams involved.
The successful operation has been hailed as a shining example of local heroism, community spirit, and the professionalism of Odisha’s fire services.
CM Majhi Hails Odisha Fire Services for Daring Rescue
Odisha Chief Minister Majhi has lauded the Odisha Fire Services and Emergency Response Team for their swift and courageous operation that safely rescued a 14-year-old boy who was stranded in a helpless condition deep inside the Kanipada jungle in Nayagarh district.
In a strongly worded statement, the Chief Minister praised the rescue team’s “indomitable courage and professional expertise” displayed while handling the challenging mission.
“Protecting and ensuring the welfare of every life in the state is of utmost importance to our government,” CM Majhi said. “This alertness and timely action during crises are what define an efficient administration. We do not merely resolve to act; rather, we are committed to providing a protective shield for the people of Odisha in every crisis.”
ନୟାଗଡ଼ର କାଣୀପଡ଼ା ଜଙ୍ଗଲରେ ଅସହାୟ ସ୍ଥିତିରେ ରହିଥିବା ଜଣେ ୧୪ ବର୍ଷର ବାଳକକୁ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଅଗ୍ନିଶମ ଓ ଜରୁରୀକାଳୀନ ସେବା ବାହିନୀ ଅତି ସଫଳତାର ସହ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ଭାବରେ ଉଦ୍ଧାର କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଜଟିଳ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିରେ ଆମ ଉଦ୍ଧାରକାରୀ ଦଳ ଯେଉଁ ଅଦମ୍ୟ ସାହସ ଓ ବୈଷୟିକ ଦକ୍ଷତା ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କରିଛନ୍ତି, ତାହା ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ପ୍ରଶଂସନୀୟ।
ଆମ ସରକାର ପାଇଁ… pic.twitter.com/Z0puOZ2wMY
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) May 6, 2026
