BAJAUR: The killing of a leopard by villagers in a hilly area of War Mamund tehsil here has prompted the local wildlife authorities to initiate legal action against those involved.

In a statement issued here on Monday, Bajaur wildlife department’s divisional forest officer said the action was initiated a day after residents of the Sapary Mandogai area killed the wild cat after it allegedly attacked and killed their livestock.

He said as soon as the field staff informed him about the incident, a team led by the range officer concerned rushed to the area to recover the dead animal and ascertain the circumstances leading to its killing.

However, the statement alleged that the local police did not allow the team to proceed to the exact location due to the prevailing law and order in the area.

It stated that after negotiations, police permitted only three field staff members to go to the site for the recovery of the leopard’s body, which had not been recovered till filing of this report.

The statement said the divisional forest officer wildlife had also taken up the matter with the local administration and contacted local elders to seek their cooperation in facilitating the recovery of the carcass.

Meanwhile, PTI MPA Dr Hamidur Rehman asked the wildlife department to refrain from taking action against those involved in the killing of the leopard.

In a social media post, the MPA, whose constituency falls in this area, warned officials of the local wildlife department against lodging an FIR against residents.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026