28-Year-Old Shepherd Mauled to Death by Bear in Kokernag Forest
Rouf Ahanger
Srinagar, Sep 10 (Public TV): Tragedy struck in the upper reaches of Kokernag on Wednesday after a 28-year-old shepherd was mauled to death by a wild bear in the Kharpath Larnoo forest area.
Officials confirmed that the deceased has been identified as Sadam Hussain Koshi, son of Ab Wahid Koshi, a resident of Majalta area in Udhampur district.
According to locals and forest officials, the victim was tending to his flock of sheep when a bear suddenly attacked him around 3 PM. The assault left him critically injured, leading to his instant death at the spot.
Soon after the incident, his body was retrieved and shifted to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Larnoo, where doctors declared him “brought dead.” Following medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to his family for last rites.
Authorities have taken cognizance of the matter and initiated further investigation. Wildlife officials have also been alerted to track the movement of wild animals in the area, as incidents of man-animal conflict continue to rise in the forested regions of South Kashmir.
Local residents expressed shock over the incident and demanded preventive measures from the wildlife department to curb recurring attacks. Shepherds and villagers living along the forest fringes say they remain vulnerable to sudden assaults by wild animals, particularly bears and leopards, which often venture close to human habitation.
This incident once again highlights the growing human-wildlife conflict in Kashmir, which has claimed several lives and left many injured in recent years.