SRINAGAR — In a distressing incident, the body of a 5-year-old girl, who went missing from her residence in Hariwani in central Kashmir’s Budgam district this evening was found in a nearby area after mauled to death by a leopard, officials said.
Srinagar-based news agency Kashmir Dot Com reported, the victim, identified as Toiba Mushtaq, daughter of Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, was taken by the leopard from the lawns of her residence in the evening.
The official said that a search operation was soon launched by police, wildlife teams and locals to trace out the missing girl.
The body of the girl was traced in a nearby area, he said.
Pertinently, the big cats have been frequently spotted in the area of late with officials blaming the Forest Department nursery they say acts as a safe haven for the animals. — (KDC)