Leopard pounces on forest dept staff during rescue in Dhar:Attacks 4 villagers injured in Dhamnod area, operation underway

A leopard entered a residential area in Gujri Dehriya village under Dhamnod forest range in Dhar district, on Wednesday morning, injuring four villagers, including a woman. The injured include forest guard Daddoo Singh, Mahesh Vaskele, Gyarasi Lal Solanki, Kantabai Rathore, and Vikas Dabar. All injured were referred to Dhar District Hospital for treatment. Attack during rescue attempt Following the incident, villagers informed the Forest Department, after which a rescue team reached the spot. However, during the operation, the leopard attacked forest personnel as well before escaping. A video of the attack has surfaced, and a search operation is currently underway. See, three pictures How the incident unfolded Locals said the leopard suddenly emerged from bushes and attacked people in the settlement. It is believed to still be hiding nearby, causing panic in the area. Injured forest guard Daddoo Singh said the team was conducting a search when the leopard attacked. A villager reportedly struck the animal with a stick, after which it fled. Medical condition of the injured According to Dr. Babul Nigwal of Dhamnod Civil Hospital, the injured sustained wounds on the stomach, shoulder, and facial areas, including claw marks near the nose. All five were referred to Dhar for further treatment. Rescue operation intensified DFO Vijay T. Natham said police teams, three Dial-112 vehicles, Ranger Sangeeta Rawat, and forest personnel are deployed at the site. The leopard is believed to be hiding inside a pipe under a culvert. A specialized rescue team from Indore has also been called to assist in the operation. Previous leopard activity in the region Officials said the surrounding Vindhyachal and Mandav hill regions are known leopard habitats. However, this is the first time the animal has entered a residential settlement. Earlier sightings were reported near the Bombay–Agra National Highway, about one kilometer from the site, on January 19 and 26. The leopard had also killed a goat in Simrali village.