Leopard Attack in Indore's Dhamnod Forest Range Injures Five
A leopard strayed into the Dehariya settlement within the Dhamnod forest range on Wednesday morning, resulting in injuries to five individuals, including forest department personnel and a local woman. The incident has triggered a large-scale rescue operation as authorities work to secure the animal.
Sudden Attack on Villagers and Forest Guards
According to forest officials, the leopard emerged abruptly from dense bushes and launched an attack on villagers before retreating. When a forest department team arrived to conduct a search operation, the leopard pounced on the personnel, escalating the situation.
Those injured in the attacks have been identified as forest guards Daddu Singh, Mahesh Vaskel, Gyarsi Lal Solanki, Kantabai Rathore, and Vikas Dawar. Dr. Bablu Nigwal of Dhamnod Civil Hospital confirmed that after receiving primary treatment at the local facility, all five victims were referred to Dhar District Hospital for further medical care.
Leopard Trapped in Drainage Pipe, Road Barricaded
The leopard later became trapped inside a drainage pipe beneath a bridge on the Old AB Road. DFO Vejayanantham TR stated that teams have barricaded both sides of the road to ensure public safety. "We have used an earth moving machine to block one end of the pipe and placed a cage with a net at the other end," he explained, detailing the containment strategy.
Massive Rescue Operation Involving Specialized Teams
A rescue operation involving over 30 personnel, led by the DFO, was actively underway at the time of reporting. A specialized rescue team from Indore was also called in to assist with the delicate operation. Officials noted that while leopards are common in the nearby Vindhyachal and Mandav hills, this marks the first recorded instance of a leopard entering this specific settlement.
Safety Advisory for Local Residents
Local residents have been advised to remain indoors and stay alert as the situation develops. The forest department is coordinating efforts to safely capture and relocate the leopard, emphasizing both human safety and wildlife conservation.
