(Web Desk) - A heartbreaking incident has shaken the serene village of Pandu Nalai in the Jhelum Valley district, where an 8-year-old girl was fatally attacked by a leopard last week.
The young victim, Javeria, a second-grade student, was playing in the courtyard of her home near the Line of Control (LoC) when the tragedy struck.
According to local authorities and eyewitnesses, the leopard swiftly emerged from nearby shrubbery, attacking Javeria and dragging her away before her family could intervene.
A frantic search ensued, with family members and villagers combing the area for hours. Tragically, Javeria’s lifeless body was discovered approximately half a kilometer from her home, hidden among dense bushes.
This devastating incident has sparked widespread grief and heightened concerns about the growing threat of human-wildlife conflict in Azad Kashmir.
Local residents report that leopards, driven by food scarcity in the region’s forests, are increasingly venturing into villages, posing a danger to communities. The Jhelum Valley, with its proximity to dense forests and rugged terrain, has seen similar incidents in recent years, raising alarm among villagers.
Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution, particularly during early morning and evening hours when wildlife activity is higher.
Javeria’s family and the Pandu Nalai community mourn the loss of a vibrant young life, as the region grapples with the urgent need to balance human safety with the challenges of coexisting with wildlife.