Jammu & Kashmir
Bear mauls man in Ramban; series of attacks reported across JK
Meanwhile, locals have urged the authorities to take preventive measures to avert further bear attacks.
The incident comes amid a series of bear attacks reported from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks.
On October 8, two persons, identified as Mohammad Faki Barjard (40) and Manzoor Ahmad Barjard (60), were injured in a bear attack in Khrew area of Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. They were shifted to hospital for treatment.
On October 7, a 45-year-old man, Manga Diku, was injured after being attacked by a bear while cutting grass in the Loran area of Poonch district. He was shifted to Primary Health Centre Loran for treatment.
Earlier, on October 6, Mushtaq Ahmed, a resident of Nagbal village in Tral, Pulwama district, was injured in a bear attack after stepping outside his house in the morning. The incident prompted residents to seek preventive measures from the authorities.
On October 5, Liyaqat Ahmad Kuli, 32, was injured when a bear attacked him while he was working in a paddy field in the Dara area of Harwan on Srinagar’s outskirts.
On October 1, four people—two men and two women—were injured in a bear attack in Nandimarg Nard area of Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district. The two women were reported to be in critical condition.
Earlier, on September 27, a 17-year-old girl, Ifroza Banoo, was injured in a bear attack near Bankoot in the Gujar Nar area of Banihal. She was initially treated at Sub-District Hospital Banihal before being referred to Government Medical College Anantnag.
On September 26, Mohammad Rasheed Khatana, 45, was injured in a bear attack in the Chimmer area of Kulgam district and shifted to hospital for treatment.
The repeated incidents have prompted residents in several affected areas to call for preventive measures and increased monitoring of wildlife movement near residential areas, orchards and agricultural fields.
Meanwhile, locals have urged the authorities to take preventive measures to prevent further bear attacks and ensure the safety of residents in the area.
According to the Wildlife Protection Department’s submission to the National Green Tribunal, more than 17,200 human–wildlife conflict incidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir between 2020 and mid-2025, resulting in nearly 1,100 injuries and over 100 deaths.
Habitat loss, shrinking forests, fragmented wildlife corridors and the availability of food waste near human settlements are among the factors contributing to encounters between people and wild animals.
Rural and forest-fringe communities are particularly vulnerable to such incidents. Measures such as habitat conservation, proper waste disposal, public awareness, early-warning systems and timely assistance to affected families are important for reducing human–wildlife conflict while protecting both residents and wildlife.