Lucknow, November 12: In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh, a leopard allegedly attacked two girls, including a minor, in the Lakhimpur Kheri district. The alleged leopard attack occurred at around 11 AM today, November 12, when the two girls were heading to their family-owned fields to deliver food. Officials said that the big cat attacked the two girls near the Majhgai forest range in Kheri's Munshigarh village.

According to a report in The Times of India, the two girls have been identified as Gulistan Bano (9) and Abroo Bi (21). Forest officials said that the two girls sustained wounds to their head, face and shoulder. Speaking about the incident, Saurish Sahai, divisional forest officer, said that the leopard was hiding in nearby shrubs before it allegedly attacked the two girls. Tiger Attack in Lakhimpur Kheri: Farm Labourer Mauled to Death in Uttar Pradesh’s Majhgain Range in Dudhwa.

After the incident, the forest department deployed several teams in Munshigarh village to monitor the big cat's movements. They also set up a cage with live bait near the leopard attack site after obtaining permission from the chief wildlife warden. Sahai also said that they will increase the number of traps depending on the leopard's movement range.

Meanwhile, it is also reported that the forest department has issued an advisory and urged villagers to avoid the fields due to the ongoing sugarcane harvest season. Villagers have also been advised to avoid working in groups with battery-operated music systems to deter the big cat until it is captured or leaves the area. Two Children Killed in Separate Incidents of Attacks by Wild Animals in UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri.

The divisional forest officer also stated that safety is their main priority as they continue to monitor the situation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2024 07:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).