K. Indoria: 'We are assisting the missing tourist's father and his rescue team comprising Israeli and American mountaineers to carry out search operations.'

'We have also deployed a team of local trekkers. They are now searching river beds, water channels and wooded areas en route the trek that Amichai had taken to find out any of his belongings. He might have slipped and fallen down in the mountainous terrain,' Indoria told IANS.

'The US and Israel embassies in Delhi are in regular contact with the district administration regarding the progress in search operations. Officials of the US embassy also visited the area last week and returned to Delhi as they failed to find any clues about his whereabouts,' he disclosed.

He said police had been advising foreign tourists to hire the services of local guides, move in groups and carry satellite or mobile phone so rescue teams could be sent in cases of emergencies.

The scenic Kullu valley attracts thousands of foreigners for a range of activities like mountaineering, backpacking, skiing, trekking, rafting, kayaking and paragliding.

In the last 15 years, more than 25 foreigners have gone missing from the valley. A few were later found to be involved in drug trafficking.