Leopard mauls 8-year-old boy in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 17 (UNI) Shock and grief gripped a village in south Kashmir district of Anantnag today after the residents found a mutilated body of an eight-year-old boy who was taken away by a leopard last night, official sources said.

They said the leopard suddenly appeared at village Shaladar, Pathribal, in Shangus area of Anantnag district last night.

The wild animal attacked and killed about 15 sheep and goats besides three horses in the village.

The sources said the leopard then took away eight-year-old Irfan Ahmed Khan who was playing in an open field.

The villagers and the police started search for the boy in the forest area early this morning. On reaching a particular place, they found the leopard feeding on the boy.

Police fired in the air to scare away the wild animal. On seeing people, the leopard escaped deep into the jungle area.

Police and villagers later found the mauled body of the boy.

The shocked villagers later approached the authorities for taking the necessary action in this regard.

UNI AG VD RN1442