5-year-old girl mauled to death by leopard in Budgam

SRINAGAR — In a distressing incident, the body of a 5-year-old girl, who went missing from her residence in Hariwani in central Kashmir’s Budgam district this evening, was found in a nearby area after being mauled to death by a leopard, officials said.

Srinagar-based news agency KDC reported that the victim, identified as Toiba Mushtaq, daughter of Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, was taken by the leopard from the lawns of her residence in the evening.

The official said that a search operation was launched by police, wildlife teams and locals soon afterwards to trace the missing girl. “The body of the girl was traced in a nearby area,” he said.

Pertinently, the big cats have been frequently spotted in the area of late with officials blaming the Forest Department nursery, which as per them, acts as a safe haven for the animals.