Bravery in Himachal: Student Fights Off Leopard with Bare Hands

An 18-year-old student in Himachal Pradesh fended off a leopard using his bare hands and stones, sustaining injuries. The incident took place in Solan district. Forest officials recognized his bravery with Rs 5,000, following other attacks in the area, prompting villagers to request trap cages.

An 18-year-old student in Himachal Pradesh showcased extraordinary bravery by fending off a leopard attack using only his bare hands and stones. The incident occurred in Solan district early on Monday as Pravesh Sharma, a second-year ITI student, was en route to fetch milk from a local village.

Sharma, while recounting the nerve-wracking encounter, mentioned that the leopard struck a few meters from his home. In an intense struggle that lasted over ten minutes, he managed to prevent the animal from biting his neck by clamping its jaws with his hands and using stones to smash the animal's mouth.

Despite sustaining multiple injuries, Sharma was discharged from Arki hospital the same day after receiving treatment. In response to his courageous act, forest officials awarded him Rs 5,000. This episode follows a recent history of leopard attacks in the region, prompting villagers to demand the installment of trap cages for safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)