Sheepish villagers fail to save a baby, dragged by a leopard in Kulgam

KULGAM — Locals from a southern Kulgam village are looking for a 2-year-old baby who was dragged by a ferocious leopard from the premises of his house to unknown destination.

Official sources said that a leopard appeared in Gujarbasti Korell village of Damhal Hanjipora here in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district and pounced upon a 2-year-old baby. The leopard, according to sources, after attacking the baby, took him away.

The sheepish villagers couldn’t do anything. Some locals tried to frighten the leopard by hurling stones and showing sticks, however the leopard dragged the visibly dead kid and disappeared from the village.

Locals said people are searching for the body of the kid, but have not been successful so far. They said even employees from Wild Life Department are part of the crowd, looking for the victim, but the body of the kid has not been found.

The victim has been identified as Muhammad Sharief Dragad son of Abdul Latief of Gujarbasti Korell DH Pora Kulgam. He is 2 years old. The incident occurred during evening hours.