Budgam: Following the death of two minors in central Kashmir's Budgam district, the Wildlife Department issued shoot-at-sight orders on Friday to eliminate the leopard.
The Khansahib area has been gripped with fear and anguish after a series of leopard attacks claimed the lives of two minor girls and left a minor boy injured within a span of 17 days.
Toiba Mushtaq, 7, daughter of Mushtaq Ahmad, was taken from the lawns of her home during the evening hours, and her body was later discovered in nearby bushes.
Notably, a 9-year-old girl was mauled to death while a minor boy sustained injuries in a separate incident involving a leopard in the neighbouring village of Samsan.
Altaf Hussain, Wildlife Warden (Central), informed that they have issued the shoot-at-sight order for the "man-eater" leopard.
"Our first priority will be tranquilising or trapping the animal, but if these measures fail, shooting will be considered. After assessing the situation, orders have been issued to hunt down the said animal following the necessary formalities," he said.
Officials have advised residents to stay indoors, especially during morning and evening hours, to avoid further attacks until the leopard is captured.
Stay indoors: DC
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Akshay Labroo asked people in the area to stay indoors, particularly in the morning and evening, and to take extra care of their children by not letting them go outside.
Speaking to media persons following his visit to Hariwani where a 7-year-old girl was mauled to death by a leopard, the DC advised people to exercise extra caution until the operation is over, especially with regard to their children, and to walk in groups to prevent any more unfortunate incidents.
Javed Ahmad, a local of Hariwani village, said the recent leopard attacks have left them trembling with fear. "We cannot even step out of our homes without worrying about the safety of our children. Yesterday, after killing a minor girl, the leopard attacked another person in the same village, but he luckily managed to escape," he said.
"The leopard attacks by entering the yards of houses, and fearing that, a person cannot even step outside the houses. The Wildlife Department has very few staff, due to which they are not able to catch the leopard," he added.
(KNO)