PAMPORE: A 63-year-old man was mauled to death by a wild bear while grazing goats and sheep in the Pampore village area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday afternoon.
Locals informed Kashmir Reader that the bear attacked Nizam Din Kalukhel (63), son of Abdul Kalukhel, a resident of Babseer Mandakpal village, leaving him critically injured. He later succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Panic has gripped the Babseer area after the tragic incident. Following the attack, a police party from Khrew police station and wildlife department officials from Range Khrew rushed to the spot to conduct a search.
Wildlife officials said the incident occurred in Babseer village of Pampore when the victim was going to the forest area near his home along with his goats and sheep.
Mohammad Latif, the brother of the deceased, told Kashmir Reader over the phone that his brother was attacked by the bear about half a kilometer from his house while grazing goats. He said that Nizam Din raised an alarm, and he, along with other people, rushed to help, but the bear had already caused grievous injuries, resulting in Nizam Din’s death on the spot.
A team of wildlife officials from Khrew Range rushed to the area to ensure the safety of residents. Range Officer of Wildlife Range Khrew, Mohammad Ashraf, confirmed Nizam Din’s death and expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident. “We have sent a team to conduct searches in the area and assured the victim’s family of assistance in obtaining compensation,” he said.

BILAL HABIB