A leopard attacked a farmer and two girls travelling on a motorcycle near Bapuji Buwa Pass below Sinhagad in Pune district on Tuesday evening, injuring one of the girls and prompting the Forest Department to begin an operation to capture the animal.
The incident occurred at around 6.30 pm near the pass close to Khanapur, on the Khanapur–Ranjane–Pabe road. The route runs through dense forest and connects areas near Sinhagad, Rajgad and Torna forts. The Forest Department has urged residents and tourists to take precautions following the leopard attack.
According to a report by Pudhari, farmer Kondiba Thopte, 48, was travelling from Thoptewadi towards Khanapur with his 17-year-old daughter Saloni and her 18-year-old friend Mona Rathod. They were travelling to Khanapur for shopping when the leopard suddenly appeared near a turn close to the Bapuji Buwa temple.
The motorcycle’s headlight reportedly startled the animal. The leopard then scratched Saloni’s leg while she was seated behind her father. She raised an alarm, but Thopte did not stop the motorcycle and continued towards Khanapur with both girls.
Saloni received initial treatment at a hospital in Khanapur before being taken to Sassoon Hospital in Pune later that night. She was treated there and discharged late on Tuesday, according to the report. No other injuries were reported among the three people travelling on the motorcycle.
Forest Circle Officer Vaishali Hadawale, Forest Guard Balasaheb Jiwade and other members of the Forest Department team reached the location after being informed about the incident. The team also met Saloni to enquire about her condition and the circumstances of the attack.
The department has started a leopard-capture operation in and around Bapuji Buwa Pass. It has also begun measures intended to prevent the animal from entering nearby settlements. The authorities have advised residents and tourists to remain alert while travelling through the forested stretch.
