Junagadh Leopard Attack: 5-Year-Old Girl Killed

JUNAGADH : A five-year-old girl was dragged away and killed by a leopard while playing outside her farmhouse in Dedkiyal village of Mendarda taluka, turning a quiet night into a nightmare for the family and villagers.

The attack took place around 9.30 pm on September 23. The child, identified as Prisha, was playing in the courtyard of the farmhouse where her family works as sharecroppers. A leopard suddenly pounced on her and dragged her towards nearby fields. The terrifying incident was reportedly captured on CCTV.

Villagers and family members launched a search. After nearly two hours, the girl’s body was found in a soybean field.

The tragedy has sparked anger in the village. Prisha’s family has refused to accept her body until the leopard is captured.

“We will accept the body only after the leopard is caught,” said Ketanbhai Solanki, the girl’s uncle.

“We want justice. The leopard must be caught first. We also demand ₹25 lakh financial assistance from the government,” he said.

The Forest Department has launched an intensive operation. Ten cages have been placed at strategic locations, while 30 to 35 personnel from four nearby ranges are involved in the search.

H.D. Galchar, Range Forest Officer of Dedkiyal Range, said teams were mobilised immediately after receiving information about the attack.

Villagers, however, alleged that the Forest Department reached the spot late. Galchar rejected the allegation and said staff were already involved in the search operation.

The incident has again highlighted the scale of leopard presence in Junagadh. The 2023 Gujarat leopard census recorded 2,274 leopards across the state, with Junagadh having the highest district population at 578.

With fear spreading across Dedkiyal, villagers are now demanding the immediate capture of the leopard.