KDC
Srinagar, Mar 28: In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves through the region, a 5-year-old girl was tragically snatched from her home by a leopard in the Hariwani area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
According to harrowing reports from the Srinagar-based news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC), the young victim, identified as Toiba Mushtaq, daughter of Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, was taken by the leopard from the lawns of her residence in the evening hours.
Authorities swiftly responded by initiating a comprehensive search operation, mobilizing police, wildlife teams, and local residents in a desperate effort to locate the missing child. The distressing incident has sparked widespread concerns among the community, exacerbated by the frequent sightings of big cats in the area. Fingers have been pointed at the Forest Department nursery, with many citing it as a potential sanctuary for these animals.
This devastating incident serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for heightened vigilance and effective measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in the region. Authorities are urged to take swift and decisive action to ensure the safety of residents, with a particular emphasis on protecting vulnerable children in areas prone to wildlife encounters.
As the search for the young girl continues, the community stands united in their hopes for her safe return, while also calling for immediate steps to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
