Leopard Sighting Triggers Panic in North Kashmir’s Handwara Villages

KNT:  Panic has gripped the residents of several villages in Handwara following repeated sightings of a leopard in the area. The animal was reportedly seen in Kralgund, Hajin, Thoker Pora, and Mandigam areas of Qaziabad, causing fear among the local population.
According to local sources, the leopard was first spotted in Kralgund and later seen roaming freely in Hajin and Thoker Pora. “We saw the leopard last night near Hajin. It was also sighted on the outskirts of Mandigam village,” a resident reported. The increasing frequency of these sightings has left the villagers alarmed.
In Hajin, those who spotted the leopard raised an alarm and promptly informed the Wildlife Department. Residents expressed their growing concern about the presence of the wild animal and the potential danger it poses. “Leopard sightings have become a regular occurrence in the area. We are very scared,” said a local resident.
The villagers appealed to the Wildlife Department to take swift action and deploy a team to capture the animal before it causes harm to people or livestock. [KNT]