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A chilling wave of terror has swept across 25 to 30 villages in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, India, as a pack of man-eating wolves has claimed the lives of nine people, including eight children, and injured over 25 others within a mere 45 days. The relentless attacks have transformed once-tranquil communities into zones of fear, leaving residents living in constant dread for their safety. This nightmare began in mid-July when a one-year-old child from Sikandarpur village fell victim to a wolf attack, marking the start of a horrific string of tragedies.
The wolf pack's ferocity has been relentless. A three-year-old girl was snatched from her courtyard while sleeping beside her mother, her body later discovered partially consumed in a nearby field. The attacks continued with frightening regularity, claiming the lives of an eight-year-old boy, a four-year-old girl named Sandhya, and one woman. Survivors of the attacks are left deeply traumatized. Firoz, a young boy, was dragged over 200 meters by a wolf before villagers intervened to save him. His mother recounted the terrifying ordeal, describing her desperate attempts to pull the wolf's legs away from her son, her cries for help finally summoning villagers who managed to rescue Firoz from the wolf's grasp.
The attacks have created a dire situation for the villagers, particularly daily wage laborers who depend on their daily work to provide for their families. Fear of the wolves has forced them to stay indoors, but this is not always feasible, especially when necessities like using the bathroom require venturing outside. The fear has created a sense of vulnerability, as even sleeping in their homes does not offer complete safety from the wolves' predatory nature. The villagers are trapped between the terror of the wolves and the struggle to survive.
In response to the crisis, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched “Operation Bhediya,” a comprehensive operation involving over 250 personnel, including 150 forest officials, working tirelessly to capture the rogue wolves. The operation utilizes four traps, three sets of thermal drone cameras, and elephant dung and urine to divert the wolves' path away from populated areas. This strategy aims to create the illusion of a larger, more dangerous animal, deterring the wolves from venturing near villages. Authorities are also providing support to the villagers by installing doors and building toilets in homes that lack them.
While one male wolf has been captured, the operation continues as two more wolves remain elusive. The government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is closely monitoring the situation and committing resources to ensure the safety of the villagers. The villagers of Bahraich remain trapped in a desperate battle for survival, hoping for a swift and decisive end to the wolf attacks. The haunting tales of the wolf pack's reign of terror will likely linger long after the last predator is captured, serving as a chilling reminder of the fragility of peace in the face of nature's unpredictable forces.
Source: 'Grabbed my child by the neck': How a pack of man-eating wolves is spreading terror in UP