A leopard entered a liquor shop in Todaraisingh town, Tonk district, Rajasthan, on Monday morning, attacking three people before being confined inside the premises for nearly five hours and subsequently rescued by a Forest Department team. The incident, which began around 8:45 am, triggered widespread panic in the crowded market area.

How the Attack Unfolded

The leopard was first spotted in bushes near Todaraisingh town. Local Van Mitra (Forest Friend) Rakesh responded after residents alerted him, but as he approached the bushes, the animal attacked him. The leopard then bolted nearly 400 metres toward a nearby liquor shop.

Outside the shop, the leopard attacked Fateh Lal Koli, 40, who was seated at the entrance. It then entered the premises and attacked salesman Sanjay Gurjar, 25. Despite sustaining claw injuries to his hand, shoulder, and nose, Gurjar managed to push the animal away and flee — and in a critical act of presence of mind, pulled down the shop's shutter as he escaped, trapping the leopard inside.

'I somehow pushed the leopard away and ran towards the exit. While escaping, I pulled down the shutter. After that, I fainted,' Gurjar later recalled.

Five-Hour Standoff and Rescue

Police cordoned off the area immediately, keeping the gathering crowd at a safe distance. The Forest Department summoned a specialised rescue team from Jhalana, Jaipur. At around 2 pm, the team successfully tranquilised the leopard with a single dart, ending the tense standoff. The animal — identified as a five-year-old male — was safely captured.

According to Anurag Maharshi, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Tonk, the leopard will undergo a medical examination before being released back into its natural habitat. Maharshi also commended Gurjar's quick thinking, which officials said prevented the animal from straying further into the crowded market.

Condition of the Injured

All three injured persons were identified as Rakesh (Van Mitra), Fateh Lal Koli, and Sanjay Gurjar. Rakesh was discharged after first aid. Both Fateh Lal Koli and Sanjay Gurjar were referred for advanced medical treatment in Jaipur.

Rising Human-Animal Conflict in the Region

Forest officials noted that the presence of leopards around Todaraisingh reflects a healthy wildlife population in the area, but acknowledged it also heightens the risk of human-animal conflict. They urged residents not to approach or chase wild animals and to immediately contact the Forest Department upon any sighting. This incident is among a series of leopard-human encounters reported from Rajasthan in recent years as wildlife corridors increasingly overlap with human settlements.