Tragedy struck a quiet village in Budgam district of central Kashmir as a 6-year-old girl was snatched from her home by a leopard on Thursday evening.
According to sources speaking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the victim, identified as Toiba Mushtaq, daughter of Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, was taken from the lawns of her residence in the Hariwani area.
Officials from the wildlife department immediately sprang into action upon receiving the distressing news.
They initiated a massive operation aimed at capturing the elusive predator. Cages were strategically placed in neighboring villages, as authorities worked tirelessly to rescue the young girl.
This incident comes on the heels of a recent spate of attacks by leopards in the region. Just 17 days prior, a 9-year-old girl met a tragic fate, mauled to death by a leopard in the nearby village of Samsan.
Another minor boy was also injured in a separate attack—(KNO)