Bahraich mom fights off leopard for 10 mins, saves 5-year-old son

Bahraich: Terror swept through a Bahraich village as a leopard brazenly prowled into a residential lane in broad daylight, pouncing on a five-year-old boy. However, in an astonishing display of valour, the child’s mother grappled with the beast for nearly 10 minutes, refusing to yield until her son was wrested from its jaws.

The incident took place on Thursday morning in Teliyanpurwa village under the Katarniaghat Range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. According to reports, Meena (32), was sitting near a sugarcane field with her son when a leopard suddenly emerged from the field and attacked the child.

The leopard reportedly grabbed the boy and tried to drag him away. Seeing her son trapped in the animal’s jaws, Meena bravely confronted the leopard and struggled fiercely to rescue him. Eyewitnesses said the woman continued fighting the wild animal for around 10 minutes while shouting for help.

Hearing the screams, villagers rushed to the spot carrying sticks and rods. As the crowd gathered, the leopard released the child and fled back towards the sugarcane fields.

While escaping, the leopard also attacked a youth, identified as Umesh (26). He suffered deep injuries on his head and neck. Meena sustained serious injuries on her hands, legs, and back, while the child received minor scratches.

All three injured persons were first taken to Sujauli Primary Health Centre and later referred to the Community Health Centre in Mihimpurwa for further treatment.

The incident has created fear and tension in the village, with residents demanding immediate action from the forest department to capture the leopard.

Officials said monitoring teams have been deployed in the area and people have been advised to remain alert while efforts are underway to trace the leopard.