Pune: 13-Year-Old Boy Killed in Leopard Attack in Shirur; Angry Villagers Torch Forest Dept Vehicle
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Shirur, 2nd November 2025: A 13-year-old boy, identified as Rohan Vilas Bombe, was killed in a leopard attack on Sunday evening in Ambewadi, Pimparkhed village of Shirur taluka. The incident occurred around 4:45 pm when the leopard suddenly pounced on Rohan and dragged him into a nearby sugarcane field, where he was found dead.
This is the third fatal leopard attack in 15 days in the region. Earlier, a five-and-a-half-year-old girl, Shivanya Shailesh Bombe, and an elderly woman had also lost their lives in separate leopard attacks in the Jambut and Pimparkhed areas. The recurring attacks have sparked anger and fear among residents.
In protest, enraged villagers set a forest department patrol vehicle on fire following Sunday’s attack, alleging negligence and delayed response from authorities. The situation in the area remains tense, with police and forest officials deployed to maintain order.
Taluka Forest Officer Neelkanth Gavane said that the department has installed 35 cages in Pimparkhed and Jambut to trap leopards, and nine leopards have already been captured. He added that teams are conducting night patrols and awareness drives in vulnerable areas.
So far, over 12 people have died in leopard attacks in Shirur taluka over the past few years, highlighting the growing human-wildlife conflict in this belt.
Former MP and MHADA Chairman Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil has urged the central government to establish a dedicated leopard shelter centre for the Pune district’s northern region, including Shirur, Ambegaon, Khed, and Junnar. He said the increasing leopard population must be scientifically relocated to prevent further loss of life.
Meanwhile, residents of Amardham, Sushila Park, and Surajnagar areas of Shirur town reported frequent leopard sightings near riversides over the past two days. Leopards have also been spotted around Khare Mala, Shani Mandir, Latte Ali, Kumbhar Ali, and Haldi Mohalla, creating panic among locals.
Authorities have appealed to citizens to remain alert and avoid venturing into isolated fields or forested areas during dawn and dusk hours.
