Indian Man Fights Off Leopard With Bare Hands at Brick Kiln in Uttar Pradesh

In a remarkable display of bravery, a man working at a brick kiln in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district defended himself barehanded against a surprise leopard attack.

The incident occurred on Monday, June 23, in Jugunpur village, located within the Dhaurahara forest range, and quickly gained national attention after it was shared online by political leader Akhilesh Yadav.

According to officials from the forest department, 35-year-old Mihilal, a resident of Girdhari Purwa, was working at the kiln when he unknowingly approached a chimney where the leopard had taken refuge.

Without warning, the animal lunged at him. But instead of fleeing, Mihilal fought back using only his hands, fending off the wild cat in a terrifying close encounter.

The struggle drew the attention of nearby workers, who rushed to his aid. They began pelting the animal with bricks and stones, eventually driving it off into a nearby banana plantation.

Authorities were quickly notified, and forest rangers launched a pursuit. Though some officials sustained injuries during the operation, the leopard was eventually captured.

The viral incident has sparked admiration for Mihilal’s courage and renewed discussions about human-wildlife conflict in areas bordering forest reserves.