Bahraich, July 19 -- An 88-year-old man died after being attacked by a leopard in the Kakarha Range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Bahraich early on Saturday. The incident is the latest in a series of fatal human-wildlife conflict cases reported in the district. The attack took place around 4 am in Lodhanpurwa village under Murtiha police station, about 500 metres from the forest boundary. Ram Yadav was sleeping in the verandah of his house when the leopard entered the premises, attacked him and dragged him outside. Hearing his screams, his grandson, Suraj Yadav, and other family members rushed out carrying sticks. As they raised an alarm, the leopard ran back towards the nearby forest, leaving the injured man behind. Ram Yadav suffered severe injuries to his throat. Forest officials reached the spot soon after receiving information about the attack. His family took him to the Mihipurwa Community Health Centre, from where he was referred to the district hospital due to his critical condition. Doctors declared him dead on arrival. Confirming the incident, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Apoorv Dixit, said the victim was very old and physically weak, making it impossible for him to resist the leopard. "The incident occurred in Lodhanpurwa village, nearly 500 metres from the forest area. Immediate financial assistance of Rs.10,000 has been provided to the bereaved family. As per forest department rules, the admissible advance compensation will be released after the post-mortem," the DFO said. He added that a cage was being installed to capture the leopard and that patrolling had been intensified in the area. Residents have also been advised to remain vigilant, particularly during the night and early morning hours. The latest death comes amid a series of wildlife attacks in Bahraich. On July 10, 48-year-old Dashrath Yadav died after a suspected leopard attack in the Kakarha Range of Katarniaghat. On July 4, 55-year-old Ketki Devi was killed by a crocodile in Chafariya village under Sujauli police station. Two days ago, 65-year-old Waris Ali was injured in an elephant attack on the Amba-Bichhiya road within the Katarniaghat forest division. On Thursday, 12-year-old Sunil died after being attacked by a crocodile along the Ghaghara river floodplain....