Bahraich, Nov. 5 -- Panic gripped Baruha village under Nanpara forest range on Tuesday night after a wild animal attacked a six-year-old boy, dragging him into the bushes. The child's father, however, insists it was a tiger, while the forest department maintains that there is no evidence to support the claim.

Manoj Kumar, a resident of Bitaniya village, was returning home around 9 PM with his daughter Ranjni (10) and son Aditya (6) on foot, walking a bicycle. During the walk, Aditya stopped near a clump of grass to urinate when a wild animal hiding nearby suddenly leapt and dragged him inside.

Manoj immediately pulled the boy back. By then, the animal had fled. The child suffered deep claw injuries on his face and back. The injured boy ...