Srinagar, Sept 19: A suspected man-eater leopard that had been terrorizing the residents of Handwara, specifically the Nichama village in Rajwar Village, has been shot dead by wildlife department officials on Monday evening.
The leopard’s reign of terror resulted in the death of minors and multiple injuries over the past two months.
The victims of the leopard attacks include Burhan Ahmad, son of Mohammad Kamal Mir of Marchwali Nichhama, and Yasir Bashir, son of Bashir Ahmad Golipora Rajwar Handwara, along with several others who sustained injuries.
The wildlife department, in collaboration with security forces, initiated a comprehensive manhunt. This effort came after a string of conflicts between humans and wildlife in the area that has claimed the lives of two minors in the past two months.
After more than 15 days of relentless tracking of the leopard’s movement patterns, the wildlife officials successfully neutralized the man-eater. The action took place on Monday evening when the leopard was spotted in the Nichama area.
The locals in the area are hopeful that the elimination of the man-eater leopard will bring an end to the reign of terror imposed by this wild animal.
Meanwhile, a wildlife official confirmed the killing of the leopard.
