Shimla, March 11 An 18-year-old student in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district defended himself against an attack by a leopard by using his bare hands and smashing the animal's jaws with stones, killing it.
The second-year student at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) was rushed to the Arki hospital on Monday and was discharged the same day after treatment. Forest officials gave him Rs 5,000 as immediate relief and as recognition of his bravery.
The incident occurred around 7 am on Monday when Pravesh Sharma was crossing a field in Sarli village near Arki to buy milk.
Sharma recounted the harrowing incident, saying that the attack occurred a few meters from his house. He grabbed the leopard by its jaws, desperately trying to prevent it from getting a hold of his neck.
The man said that he smashed the leopard's jaws and claws with stones after a struggle lasting over 10 minutes, while shouting for help. He sustained multiple injuries on his hands, shoulders, legs, arms, and face.
He was taken to the Arki hospital and discharged the same day after treatment.
This was not the first leopard attack in the area. A motorcyclist was attacked on March 6, following which the villagers lodged a complaint with the forest officials and asked them to set up trap cages.
In December 2025, one person was killed and nine others were injured in leopard attacks in Chandyal, Badhyal, and Malvana villages in the Balh area of Mandi district. The leopard was killed by the villagers.