Three people were injured in a leopard attack at Jaimal Wala village under Baghapurana sub-division, 43 km from here, on Tuesday.
The victims have been identified as Mukand Singh, 32, Tejinder Singh, 43, and Kala Singh, 55. However, the leopard was reportedly shot dead by villagers.
The incident took place around 4.30pm when the leopard entered the village and first attacked farmer Mukand Singh who was watering his wheat fields.
"Later, the leopard entered the village and attacked Tejinder Singh and Kala Singh, who were going to their fields on their bicycles," said Budh Ram, sarpanch of the village.
The injured men were rushed to the civil hospital, where the officials stated their condition to be stable.
Budh Ram said, "As soon as we heard about the attack, we sounded the Baghapurana police and the forest department officials. Soon, several villagers, the police and forest officials reached the spot and cordoned off the area."
Eyewitness Gura Singh, a farmer, said, "Some residents of the village shot the leopard dead after it mauled three people.
Forest range officer Jagraj Singh Sidhu said that during winters, there is paucity of food and water due to which wild animals at times stray into residential areas in search of food and attack people.
{{/usCountry}}Forest range officer Jagraj Singh Sidhu said that during winters, there is paucity of food and water due to which wild animals at times stray into residential areas in search of food and attack people.
{{/usCountry}}"We have recovered the body of the leopard and sent it to the government veterinary hospital for post-mortem. We have informed the Chandigarh office of the leopard's death," Sidhu said.
Leopard, who was shot dead by the vaillgers, in Moga on Tuesday. HT photo