Revenge-driven wolf attacks terrorize Bahraich: Nine killed, including eight children

LUCKNOW: The district of Bahraich has been gripped by fear as a series of deadly wolf attacks have claimed the lives of nine people, including eight children, over the past two months. Among the victims was a baby who was attacked while sleeping beside its mother inside their home. In total, around 30 people have been injured, and several bodies were discovered partially eaten.

Thirty villages in the district have come to a standstill as the frequency and intensity of the wolf attacks have escalated. Locals are staying indoors, with children no longer attending school and adults avoiding work. The latest victim, an eight-year-old boy, was attacked yesterday while playing in front of his house in Mahsi Tehsil. The child remains in critical condition.

The forest department has managed to capture four wolves, yet the attacks persist, leaving the community on edge. Authorities have urged people to stay indoors and remain vigilant.

A case of revenge?

There is growing speculation among forest officials that the wolves' aggression could be driven by a desire for revenge, a trait believed to be more pronounced in wolves than in other animals. Some officials draw parallels to a chilling incident from 1996, when over 60 children were killed by wolves in the Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur districts. That episode followed the killing of two wolf cubs by local children.

Despite the launch of a special operation dubbed 'Operation Bhidiya,' the attacks continue unabated. Drones are being deployed to assist in the search, but the wolves' constant migration poses a significant challenge for the authorities. Senior administration officials are now stationed in the district to oversee the situation.

"Wolves are different from other predators. They're fast, intelligent, and their behavior needs to be carefully studied to find a solution," said VK Singh, a former forest department official and a key member of the 1996 mission.