Leopard Terror in Rajasthan: Fourth Fatal Attack Sparks Urgent Search Operation

A five-year-old girl was mauled to death by a leopard in Udaipur’s Gogunda town, marking the fourth fatal attack within 10 days. Authorities are intensifying search efforts, deploying forest teams and calling in the Indian Army to capture the leopard. Villagers have staged protests demanding immediate action.

A five-year-old girl was mauled to death by a leopard in Rajasthan's Udaipur district, police confirmed on Thursday.

The attack occurred Wednesday evening in the Majavad area of Gogunda town. Suraj, the young victim, was dragged to the fields by the leopard, according to Station House Officer Shaitan Singh.

The girl's mutilated body was discovered by villagers the next morning.

This tragic event marks the fourth leopard attack in the area within ten days. Previous victims include a 16-year-old girl on September 18, a 50-year-old man on September 19, and a 40-year-old woman on September 20.

The attacks have occurred at various locations in Gogunda, prompting forest authorities to set up five cages in an effort to capture the elusive leopard.

SHO Singh confirmed that a team from the Indian Army has been called in to assist, utilizing drone cameras to survey the area extensively.

Search operations involve teams from Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Jodhpur. High-ranking officials, including Divisional Forest Officer Ajay Chittora and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Naresh Soni, are overseeing the efforts.

As of Wednesday, two leopards have been trapped by the forest teams. However, the continued threat has led agitated villagers to protest, blocking the Gogunda-Jhadol road under the leadership of Udaylal Katara from the Bharatiya Adivasi Party. They are demanding immediate action to trap the leopard using more cages in residential areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)