Uttar Pradesh on High Alert: Wolves Terrorize Bahraich District

A significant search operation is ongoing in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, as authorities pursue a pack of wolves causing unrest. With four wolves captured, the search uses drones and involves local intelligence. The situation has led to community panic and injuries to 34 individuals, prompting visits by high-level officials.

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district are engaged in a large-scale search operation to capture a pack of wolves wreaking havoc in the area. With four wolves already apprehended, efforts are now concentrated on locating the remaining animals. Officials, including Forest Department General Manager Sanjay Pathak, are employing drones in the search.

'We are tracking them. No untoward incidents have been reported. Drones are also employed in the operation,' Pathak reported. Although Tuesday night passed without wolf attacks, the remaining wolves have eluded capture so far.

District Forest Officer (DFO) Ajit Pratap Singh revealed a multi-pronged strategy involving thermal drones, identification of pugmarks, and intelligence gathering from residents. Singh noted a recent sighting thwarted by villagers' commotion. He also pointed out the challenges faced by drones in low-light conditions, making it difficult to differentiate between wolves, jackals, or dogs. Singh suggested there might be a third wolf, raising the number of targets to three.

Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister Arun Saxena will visit Bahraich today to oversee the situation, holding a review meeting at the Collectorate auditorium. Mahsi MLA Sureshvar Singh also assessed the situation in Barah Bigha, where one wolf was sighted. Singh hypothesized that there are three wolves based on their hunting pattern. The wolf attacks have injured 34 people, of whom two are in stable condition after hospitalization.

The ongoing 'Operation Bhediya' has already seen the capture of four wolves linked to numerous attacks. Both the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Forest Department are intensifying their efforts to secure the area and protect the community.

(With inputs from agencies.)