Leopard Attacks Injure Girl and Villager Near Katarniaghat Forest, Officials on High Alert
Panic has gripped villages surrounding the Katarniaghat forest area in Uttar Pradesh following two separate leopard attacks that left a young girl and a villager seriously injured. Forest officials have launched intensive search operations and heightened vigilance across the affected regions to capture the elusive predator.
First Attack: Nine-Year-Old Girl Targeted in Kakri Village
The first incident occurred around noon on Monday in Kakri village, located within the Nanpara forest range. Nine-year-old Tara was walking with her mother, Sunita Devi, and her aunt to a nearby field to collect fodder for cattle when a leopard, concealed in a maize field, suddenly pounced on the child from behind.
The animal seized Tara in its jaws and began dragging her away. Hearing her daughter's desperate screams, Sunita rushed toward the leopard, shouting and confronting it directly. She reportedly struggled with the wild cat for nearly three minutes while Tara's aunt raised an alarm to alert others.
Farmers working in adjacent fields quickly responded to the commotion and rushed to the scene. Upon seeing the gathering crowd, the leopard released Tara and retreated into the dense maize fields. Tara sustained deep injuries to her back, legs, and hip. Her family immediately transported her to a community health centre, where she received primary treatment before being discharged.
Nanpara ranger Piyush Gupta confirmed that forest teams discovered leopard pugmarks in the area and suspect the animal may still be hiding in the nearby maize fields. "A cage has already been installed, and our teams are maintaining constant vigil to capture the leopard," Gupta stated.
Second Attack: Villager Assaulted in Bajpur Bankati Gulra Village
In a separate incident on Sunday night, a leopard attacked a villager in Bajpur Bankati Gulra village under the Katarniaghat range. Forty-year-old Ashish Kumar was sitting outside his house around 9 pm when the leopard suddenly lunged at him without warning.
Kumar fought back courageously and raised an alarm. Nearby residents, hearing the noise, hurried to assist him, which forced the leopard to retreat toward the Saryu canal. Kumar suffered deep injuries to his head and hands and was initially taken to the Primary Health Centre in Sujauli. He was later referred to the Community Health Centre in Mihinpurwa for further medical treatment.
Forest Department Response and Safety Measures
Katarniaghat ranger Ashish Gaur reported that forest department teams are actively patrolling the villages and monitoring the leopard's movements. "Residents have been strongly advised to remain alert and avoid venturing alone into fields or forest areas, especially during early morning and late evening hours," Gaur emphasized.
The back-to-back attacks have instilled fear among local communities, prompting authorities to reinforce safety protocols and increase surveillance. Officials are utilizing cages, tracking pugmarks, and conducting regular patrols to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of villagers living near the forest periphery.
