Solan, March 11, KNT: An 18-year-old student fought off a leopard with his bare hands and stones after the animal attacked him in Sarli village of Arki area in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, officials and locals said.
The youth, identified as Pravesh Sharma, a second-year student at an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), sustained multiple injuries during the encounter but managed to kill the animal after a prolonged struggle.
The incident occurred around 7 am on Monday when Sharma was crossing agricultural fields near his house in Sarli village to collect milk, officials said.
According to Sharma, the leopard suddenly attacked him only a few meters away from his home.
He said the animal attempted to grab his neck, but he managed to catch hold of its jaws in an effort to prevent a fatal bite.
“I grabbed the leopard by its jaws and struggled to keep it from biting my neck,” Sharma told locals after the incident.
During the struggle, which lasted for over 10 minutes, the student used nearby stones to strike the animal repeatedly, hitting its jaws and claws while shouting for help.
Despite sustaining injuries on his hands, shoulders, arms, legs and face, Sharma eventually managed to overpower the leopard and kill it.
Local residents later rushed to the spot and shifted the injured youth to Arki hospital.
Doctors treated him for multiple injuries and discharged him later the same day after his condition was declared stable.
Forest department officials also visited the area following the incident and provided Sharma with Rs 5,000 as immediate relief, acknowledging his courage in defending himself during the attack.
Officials said leopard movement has been reported in the area in recent weeks, raising concerns among villagers.
Earlier on March 6, a motorcyclist was attacked by a leopard in the same region, prompting villagers to approach forest authorities and demand the installation of trap cages.
Residents said repeated sightings of leopards in nearby villages have increased fear among people, particularly those who travel through fields and forested areas early in the morning or late in the evening.
Officials said they are monitoring the situation and will take necessary steps to prevent further wildlife attacks in the area. [KNT]
