Gorakhpur forest officials, police launch search operation against panther

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Dec.27 (ANI): The forest officials along with the help of the local police launched a search operation in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district on Sunday against a panther that has injured nine people so far.

"We are spread all around the area and searching for the panther. The villagers have been asked to vacate the place. Presently, the situation is calm and we are keeping a close watch that the panther doesn't harm any other villager," said Alok Pandey, a forest official.

Villagers said the panther was hiding in the bushes and when the villagers went to nab him, the panther attacked the villagers and injured nine people.

"He came out from bushes. We were also in the bushes. So, he ran after us when he saw us. We were away from him and he attacked us suddenly," said Sriram, a resident.

Villagers along with armed forest officials and police personnel have been patrolling in the area where the panther was last seen. (ANI)