Panic gripped the Balh valley in Mandi district on Wednesday morning after a leopard attacked residents of three villages, killing one person and injuring eight others.
The reign of terror ended when alert villagers united and killed the leopard. The leopard first attacked residents in Chandyal village during the early hours, creating chaos and fear. It then moved to Bhadyal village, where it again attacked people indiscriminately. Four persons sustained serious injuries in these two villages. The leopard later reached Malwana village, where it fatally attacked a youth.
According to eyewitnesses, the youth was reportedly living in Mandi city and had come to the Balh valley to visit relatives. The deceased, identified as Balbir Singh, a native of Bheuli, died on the spot.
The injured include Sahib Singh, Deenanath, Champa Devi, Janit and Rekha Devi. The injured were rushed to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College, Nerchowk, where they are undergoing treatment.
Following the attack, panic spread across the Balh valley. Residents came out of their homes carrying sticks and other improvised weapons to protect themselves. When the leopard attempted another attack, the villagers killed the animal. The leopard’s body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.