In a shocking incident, three residents of a village in Barwani district, including two young children, were brutally attacked by an unidentified animal in the early hours of Tuesday. The attack occurred while the victims were asleep in Mojali village, located in the Palsud area.
Victims and Injuries: Serious Facial Wounds
The injured have been identified as 60-year-old Raziya from Mojali Buzurg, 9-year-old Manisha, and 6-year-old Sajwan, both from Mojali Khurd. According to Civil Surgeon Dr. Manoj Khanna, all three sustained severe bite injuries on their face, mouth, and nose. Raziya also suffered additional injuries to her eye and nose. Fortunately, their condition is now reported to be stable.
Following the attack, the victims were immediately given an anti-rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin at the Palsud primary health centre. They were then referred to the district hospital and are currently being shifted to MY Hospital in Indore for further treatment, as confirmed by Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Surekha Jamre.
Investigation: Leopard Suspicions, Dog Likely Culprit
While some villagers initially feared a leopard might be responsible, forest department officials have a different assessment. Barwani Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ashish Bansod stated that, based on the evidence, the attack was most likely carried out by a dog. Forest teams inspected the attack site on Tuesday morning and launched a search operation to identify the animal.
"Villagers were advised to remain alert. The attack was similar to previous wildlife-related attacks that happened in the region in May 2025," DFO Bansod told TOI. This pattern has raised concerns among local authorities and residents alike.
Separate Incident: Hyena Kills Calf in Mhow
In a related development highlighting human-animal conflict in the region, a calf was killed by a wild animal in Malendi village of Mhow on Monday night. The half-eaten carcass of the male calf, belonging to a villager named Bhurelal, was discovered near a canal culvert on Tuesday morning.
Mhow Forest Ranger Nayan Kumar Palvi explained that the pattern of the kill indicated the predator was a hyena. "The flesh and bones had been eaten by the animal. Villagers were advised to keep their cattle and goats inside covered areas during night hours," Palvi said. The forest department has seized the carcass and initiated the process for possible compensation to the owner.
These back-to-back incidents have put forest officials on high alert across the district, with advisories being issued to villagers to exercise caution, especially after dark.
