Himachal Pradesh News
Mandi News : Leopard Attack Sparks Panic in Mandi’s Balh Valley, Youth Killed and Eight Injured
A leopard attack in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district left one youth dead and eight others injured after the animal entered villages in the Balh valley. Villagers later killed the leopard as authorities rushed relief teams to the spot.
Panic gripped the Balh valley in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Wednesday morning after a leopard went on a rampage across three villages, killing one person and injuring eight others.
The incident began in the early hours when the leopard attacked residents in Chandyal village, triggering fear and chaos. It then moved to Bhadyal village, where it again attacked people indiscriminately, leaving four persons seriously injured. The animal later reached Malwana village, where it fatally mauled a youth.
According to eyewitnesses, the deceased had been living in Mandi city and was visiting relatives in the Balh valley at the time of the attack. He was identified as Balbir Singh, a native of Bheuli, and died on the spot.
The injured have been identified as Sahib Singh, Deenanath, Champa Devi, Janit and Rekha Devi, among others. All of them were rushed to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College, Nerchowk, where they are undergoing treatment.
Following the attacks, panic spread across the valley as residents came out of their homes carrying sticks and other improvised weapons to protect themselves. When the leopard attempted another attack, villagers managed to kill the animal. Its body was later sent for post-mortem examination.
Teams from the district administration, police and the Forest Department rushed to the affected villages to assess the situation.
Balh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Smritika Negi confirmed the incident and said immediate relief was being provided to the bereaved family, while all possible assistance was being extended to the injured, who are stated to be out of danger. After the post-mortem, the body of the deceased was handed over to his family for last rites.
Mandi Divisional Forest Officer Vasu Doegar said a forest team reached the spot promptly and found the male leopard dead. Preliminary assessment suggests that the animal may have strayed into human habitation after losing its natural territory.
Read Also : IGMC Shimla Patient Assault Row: Doctors Back Colleague, Family Demands His Dismissal
