Leopard Attack in Varanasi Sparks Widespread Panic, Forest Department Launches Large-Scale Search Operation
Following a terrifying leopard attack in Varanasi last week that left three residents injured, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department has launched an extensive and multi-agency search operation to locate and capture the elusive wild animal.
In response to the ongoing threat, officials have placed 12 villages along the Ganga River on high alert, urging residents to remain indoors and take all possible safety precautions.
Leopard Evades Capture Despite Forest Department Efforts
The leopard was last definitively sighted on Friday, concealed in thick vegetation near Chirai village — the same location where it attacked three individuals.
Since then, the animal has managed to evade multiple coordinated capture attempts. Forest teams have deployed cages baited with meat, nets, and surveillance equipment at various strategic locations, but so far, their efforts have not yielded success.
Officials believe the big cat may have strayed into Varanasi from nearby forested areas, possibly from the Chandauli region or the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies close to the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border and is known for its leopard population.
However, with no new sightings since Friday, forest officials admit the leopard may have moved out of the area, although they continue search and containment operations with utmost vigilance.
Injured Villagers Recovering, Panic Grips Rural Areas
The three men attacked in the initial incident are currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. According to doctors, their condition is stable, and they are expected to recover fully.
Still, the attack has created widespread panic among the rural population.
Residents of 12 riverside villages, home to around 18,000 people, remain deeply fearful. Daily routines have been significantly disrupted, with schools seeing reduced attendance and local markets operating with limited hours.
The elderly and children have been especially cautioned to avoid leaving their homes unless necessary. As night falls, most villages resemble ghost towns, with people retreating indoors and lighting bonfires or firecrackers to deter any possible leopard approach.
Forest Department Mobilizes Personnel, Equipment
In light of the threat, the forest department has launched an aggressive response. Personnel from both Varanasi and Chandauli forest divisions are working in tandem to comb the area.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Swati confirmed that since the last sighting, no further signs of the leopard’s presence have been observed, though villagers continue to report unverified movements.
She stressed that the alert remains active, and all 12 villages bordering the Ganga have been instructed to remain cautious.
To increase the chances of capturing the animal, the department has:
- Installed metal cages at common animal crossing points
- Set up camera traps and drones to monitor forested areas
- Deployed forest guards to patrol the villages
- Issued public safety advisories through village heads and loudspeakers
Drone footage on Friday had briefly captured the leopard in motion after it attacked three men in Chirai village. Despite this, the animal managed to slip away into the surrounding wilderness.
Villagers Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
In many affected villages, fear has given way to grassroots-level vigilance. Residents have formed watch groups that stay on guard through the night.
Armed with sticks and makeshift weapons, they patrol the outskirts of their villages and create noise by bursting firecrackers in hopes of scaring the leopard away.
While authorities have advised against confrontation with the wild animal, many villagers believe they cannot afford to wait passively, especially after the recent attack.
“We are scared to even send our children outside to play,” said a resident of one of the affected villages. “Until the leopard is found, we are not safe.”
The forest department is continuing its combing operations across dense vegetation, riverbanks, and abandoned farmlands where the animal might be hiding.
Teams are also analyzing movement patterns and investigating any new signs, such as paw prints or livestock disturbances.
DFO Swati reiterated the importance of remaining vigilant and cooperating with forest officials. “Until the leopard is safely captured or leaves the area entirely, we request everyone to remain indoors after dark and report any suspicious activity immediately,” she said.
Though the situation remains tense, authorities are hopeful that ongoing efforts will lead to the leopard’s capture soon.
