Leopard Enters Bahraich Village Home, Seven-Year-Old Boy Killed in Night Attack

A quiet Friday evening turned tragic in Azamgarh village of Bahraich district when a leopard entered a house and fatally attacked a young child, leaving the entire community in shock.

Around 7 pm, Phula Devi was preparing the evening meal inside her home when the horrifying incident unfolded.

Her sister-in-law Meena, who was sitting on a cot nearby, chopping vegetables under the faint glow of an oil lamp during a power cut, suddenly spotted a leopard slipping into the courtyard.

Within seconds, the wild animal lunged at seven-year-old Raghuveer, who had been playing outside the house. Startled by the sight, Meena shouted for help, alerting family members and neighbours.

However, before anyone could intervene, the leopard seized the child and dragged him away toward the nearby fields.

Villagers quickly gathered and pursued the animal in an attempt to rescue the boy. After an anxious search, they discovered Raghuveer about half a kilometre away from the house, severely injured.

He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead.

The village lies close to the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary along the India–Nepal border, a region that has witnessed repeated encounters between humans and wildlife in recent years.

Residents say attacks by predators such as leopards and wolves have been reported several times, some resulting in fatalities.

Virendra Kumar, the boy’s uncle, said villagers rushed after the animal as soon as the alarm was raised. “When people began chasing it, the leopard abandoned the child in the fields and vanished into the darkness,” he said.

Raghuveer’s father, Ram Vilas, had travelled to Mau district for work and returned home early Saturday morning after learning about the tragedy.

Enraged villagers later blocked a road with the child’s body, accusing authorities of ignoring their repeated complaints about wildlife threats in the area.

Forest Department officials arrived at the site after receiving information and managed to calm the crowd. They assured residents that necessary steps would be taken to prevent further incidents, after which the protest was withdrawn.

Fear has now gripped the village. Residents say the attack has shaken their sense of security.

“People are terrified. If such an incident can happen inside a house, no one feels safe anymore,” said Virendra Kumar, adding that villagers are now discussing ways to safeguard themselves.

The deceased child leaves behind his parents, Phula Devi and Ram Vilas Patwa, who works as a farmer, as well as a ten-year-old sister.

Recalling the horrifying moment, Phula Devi said her son had been playing in the courtyard as he usually did in the evenings. “Suddenly, my sister-in-law started screaming that an animal had taken my child. When I ran outside, he was gone,” she said in grief.

Azamgarhpurva is a small settlement of about a hundred homes where most families depend on agriculture for their livelihood.

Ram Vilas, devastated by the loss, said his son was a student of Class 4. “I cannot understand how such a terrible thing happened. I don’t even knowwhom to hold accountable for my child’s death,” he said.

After completing the last rites, the family buried the boy.

Forest Department officials later confirmed that the child’s death was caused by a leopard attack.

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