10-Year-Old Bengaluru Boy Killed in Leopard Attack Near MM Hills Temple

A 10-year-old boy from Bengaluru was killed in a leopard attack near the Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district on Sunday, prompting forest officials to launch an operation to trace the animal.

The victim, identified as Harshith , had travelled with his family to the famous Male Mahadeshwara temple at MM Hills on Saturday to offer prayers. According to forest department officials, the family stayed overnight in the area after performing puja at the temple.

The attack took place on Sunday morning when Harshith and his family were walking along a forest road towards the Nagamale temple, located within the Cauvery wildlife division. Officials said a leopard suddenly emerged from the nearby forest, attacked the child, and dragged him away before mauling his neck.

A senior forest officer said villagers and forest personnel rushed to the spot after hearing the family’s cries for help. The boy’s body was later recovered from the forest area and sent for post-mortem examination.

The incident has triggered concern among devotees and residents in the forested temple region, which witnesses heavy pilgrim movement throughout the year.

Forest department teams have begun efforts to identify and capture the leopard involved in the attack. Officials said thermal drones are being used to monitor movement in the surrounding forest, while cage traps are being installed along the route frequently used by pilgrims.

Authorities said precautionary measures are also being strengthened in the area to prevent similar incidents in the future. Officials noted that the region has witnessed sporadic recoveries of illegal arms and militant-linked activities in the past, prompting regular security operations and surveillance drives by police and security forces.