Man killed, 5 injured in leopard attack in Himachal’s Mandi

Panic gripped Balh Ghati in Mandi district on Wednesday morning after a leopard attacked people at three different locations, killing one person and injuring five others before being shot dead by locals.

According to officials, the leopard carried out attacks at Chandiyal, Bhadyal and Malwana villages. The first attack was reported from Chandiyal, after which the animal moved to Bahdyal, where it injured several people. The final and fatal attack occurred at Malwana village, where a 40-year-old man was mauled to death.

The deceased has been identified as Balveer Singh, a resident of Bholi village. He was reportedly a migrant worker residing in Mandi and had come to visit relatives in the area.

The injured have been identified as Sahib Singh, a resident of Bihar; Dinanath from Bhadyal; Champa Devi from Malwana; Janit from Bhadyal; and Rekha Devi, also from Bhadyal. All injured have been admitted to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital, Nerchowk.

Following the attacks, fear spread across the region, with residents coming out of their homes armed with sticks and sharp implements to protect themselves and drive away the animal. The leopard reportedly attempted to attack again, after which villagers managed to kill it. The carcass of the leopard has been sent for post-mortem.

SDM (Balh) Smritika Negi said one person had died and five injured; the leopard had been killed.