Bagaha: A 35-year-old woman was killed in a tiger attack in the Madanpur forest area of Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran on Wednesday, according to details reported by the forest department.
The incident took place near Masjidiya Sareh in the Sirisiya Pokhawa Tola area under Naurangia police station.
The deceased was identified as Salma Khatoon, wife of Kolai Mian and a resident of Sirisiya.
According to the initial information, Salma Khatoon had gone towards the forest to collect fodder for her livestock. She was reportedly around 200 metres from the forest area when the tiger attacked her. She sustained serious injuries and died at the spot.
Forest Department And Police Reach Spot
Following information about the incident, local villagers reached the site. A team from the forest department also arrived under the leadership of Madanpur Ranger Naseem Ansari.
The Naurangia police also reached the spot and took information about the incident. The body was being sent to the sub-divisional hospital for post-mortem examination, while further procedures were initiated by the authorities.
Compensation Process Started
Madanpur Ranger Naseem Ansari said the initial information indicated that the woman was cutting fodder around 200 metres from the forest when the tiger attacked her.
According to the forest department, the process of providing compensation to the deceased woman’s family has been initiated as per departmental rules. A team of trained forest personnel is also engaged in efforts to locate the tiger involved in the incident.
Family Left With Three Daughters
According to the information in the report, Salma Khatoon had three daughters, all of whom are unmarried. The incident has caused concern among residents of villages located close to the forest area, particularly because of reports of tiger attacks in the region in recent months.
Four Tiger-Related Deaths Reported In Two Months
The report states that the latest incident is the fourth fatal tiger attack in the area in roughly two months.
Earlier incidents mentioned in the report include:
Akalu Yadav, 65, was attacked by a tiger on July 30, 2026, while grazing goats near a field close to Bisaha village in the Valmiki Nagar forest area. He later died during treatment the following day.
Umrawati Devi, 45, was attacked on July 31, 2026, while working near a paddy field close to Mishroliya Raita village in the Madanpur forest area. She died at the spot.
Vijay Haldar, 55, was attacked on August 15, 2026, while cutting grass in a field behind his house in Bhediyari Bangali Tola in the Valmiki Nagar forest area. He was killed in the attack.
The latest incident involving Salma Khatoon has renewed concerns among residents living near the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, while the forest department continues efforts to track the tiger’s movement.
