Pune : 65-Year-Old Farmer Attacked by Leopard, Seriously Injured in Bharadi Settlement

A frightening incident unfolded in the Bharadi settlement of Ambegaon, where a 65-year-old farmer, Khandu Darku Khilari, was attacked by a leopard while he slept near his cowshed.

Living with his family on the Bharadi-Thorandale road at Chaupula Vasti, Khilari was resting outside his house as usual when the attack occurred around 10:30 PM on Tuesday.

“Suddenly, the leopard pounced on Khandu Darku Khilari while he was sleeping. He screamed, and the leopard fled, leaving him injured,” recounted a resident.

Khilari sustained injuries to his face and was promptly rushed to a private hospital in Pargaon for treatment on Tuesday night. He is slated to be transferred to the Upazila Hospital in Manchar for further medical care and vaccination on Wednesday morning.

The incident has raised concerns among locals about the safety measures in the area. Police Patil Santosh Khilari alerted forest department officials about the attack, but no action was taken overnight.

This isn’t the first time such an incident has occurred in the area. Just two days prior, Kantaram Khilari, Kailas Gadekar, and Bhau Khilari narrowly escaped a leopard encounter while riding a two-wheeler near Chaufula settlement. “A month ago, another resident, Khandu Baban Khilari, fell victim to a leopard attack in the same area,” added a concerned citizen. Despite community requests, the forest department has yet to install a cage to capture the elusive leopard.

Residents question whether the forest department will only take action after another tragic loss of life. The need for immediate safety measures in the area is now more pressing than ever.