Dibrugarh/Aizawl, Oct. 19: Missing air force officer Flight Lieutenant Noktempong Jamir, 26, was brought back to the Mohanbari base in Dibrugarh district of Assam today after being finally located in Mizoram.

Flt Lt Jamir had gone missing from the Coimbatore base of the IAF, where he had gone for a 21-day refresher course, on October 7.

On being asked why he had run away, Flt Lt Jamir told Mizoram police that “he had suddenly lost interest in his career”.

Group Captain Rajan Kapur, the station commander of Mohanbari base, said over the telephone: “Mizoram police handed the young Naga officer to the IAF last evening and he was immediately brought to Mohanbari base”.

He said the officer would now face a court of inquiry only after which it could be ascertained what disciplinary action would be initiated against him. “As of now, nothing more can be said. We have brought Flt Lt Jamir back to the base and everything will go according to the rule book.”

Aizawl superintendent of police L.T. Hrangchal said the police had located Jamir at Seling village, about 35km south of the Mizoram capital, on Wednesday.

He said the Nagaland deputy inspector-general (Range), Dongel, had earlier requested him to find the missing officer after his family informed the DIG that he had called them from Aizawl.

Jamir had earlier called up his sister to say he was alive. Mizoram police traced the call to Seling and sent personnel there on Wednesday.

“Initially they could not find him. Around 4 pm, my men spotted a Naga at a tea stall trying to make friends with the locals,” Hrangchal said, adding that suspecting him to be Flt Lt Jamir, the policemen brought him to Aizawl. Dongel was informed and he conveyed the information to the Jamir family.

“The family had probably also informed the IAF because they called up to say they wanted him back. But I could not hand him over to the IAF as there was nothing official from them,” he said.

The SP said he wanted to wait till he had a word with Flt Lt Jamir’s relatives, who were also on their way to Aizawl. As the relatives did not object, Flt Lt Jamir was handed over to the IAF officials who flew down to take him back. The relatives were, however, allowed to speak to him for about 30 minutes.

Hrangchal said the police did not interrogate Jamir further as no criminal case was registered.