Selangor police said the search operation for missing Sekolah Kebangsaan Keramat 1 headmistress, Jashiah Rabu, 53, would not be halted despite no positive signs found so far.

State deputy police chief, Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation was now confined to a smaller area around Kampung Orang Asli Buloh Telur in Kuala Kubu Bharu, near here.

"We have narrowed down our search area as it would facilitate the search teams to focus on a smaller area," he told reporters after attending a Safe Town Round Table Programme organised by the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) at the Selangor police contingent headquarters, here.

Abdul Rahim said the operation which entered its 17th day was also using various initiatives and search methods to assist the authorities track down the victim.

"Despite using the human body temperature thermal detector or thermal imaging camera, no positive signs were found but the search teams will continue to find using various methods," he said.

Abdul Rahim said apart from maintaining the total number of departments and agencies involved in the SAR operation, police and military veterans, Malaysian Mountain Guides Association as well as local residents were also assisting in the search operation using their respective expertise.

Jashiah was said to be suffering from depression and was last seen by her neighbours coming out of the house in Taman Seri Seruling on Oct 23 and heading to the Bukit Kutu Forest Reserve before disappearing.