Bettiah: A 65-year-old man sustained serious injury after a tiger attacked him while he was grazing goats near the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district on Thursday. The incident took place near the Hathimalkhanta canal, close to Bisaha village along the Indo-Nepal border in Valmikinagar.The injured, identified as Aklu Yadav of Bisaha village, was first taken to the Valmikinagar Community Health Centre and later referred to the sub-divisional hospital in Bagaha. Doctors subsequently referred him to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bettiah, for advanced treatment and surgery.“My father was grazing goats with a few other villagers when a tiger suddenly emerged from the forest and attacked him. The tiger grabbed his leg in its jaws. People nearby raised an alarm and rescued him. Otherwise, the tiger could have dragged him into the forest,” said his son, Rohit Kumar.Dr Tariq Nadeem, who examined Yadav at the Bagaha hospital, said the victim sustained severe injuries. “He has multiple deep lacerations on his right leg with significant soft-tissue loss, besides injuries on both hands. He has been referred to GMCH Bettiah, where surgery will be required,” he said.Valmikinagar forest range officer Satyam Kumar said forest personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information about the attack.“Our teams have inspected the area and are tracking the tiger. Public announcements are being made in nearby villages, advising residents to move in groups while visiting fields during the day and to avoid forest-edge routes at night,” Kumar said.Forest officials have intensified patrolling in the area and urged residents living near the reserve to remain vigilant until the situation is brought under control.
Victim under treatment at Valmikinagar Community Health Centre
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