SRINAGAR: A 12-year-old boy was killed after being attacked by a leopard in the Marsary area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said.
The boy, identified as Ayan Ashraf, son of Mohammad Ashraf Mir of Zonrashi Chowkibal, was attacked by the leopard in the area and sustained serious injuries.
An official said Ayan later succumbed to his injuries. His body was subsequently recovered by local residents from a nearby forest area.
The incident comes amid heightened concern over encounters between wild predators and people, particularly during the seasonal apple harvest. The Wildlife Protection Department has established 42 emergency control rooms and issued safety advisories in response to the situation.
Residents living near forests and in agricultural areas have been advised to limit outdoor movement to daylight hours, travel in groups and install bright lighting around their homes to discourage wild predators from approaching.
