How an Odisha Youth Survived a Leopard Attack: A Midnight Knock and a Deadly Fight

In a terrifying late-night encounter that could have easily turned fatal, a 26-year-old youth from Odisha’s Cuttack district survived a sudden leopard attack by fighting back inside his own home. Armed with nothing more than a kitchen knife, the young man managed to kill the wild animal in self-defence, sustaining serious injuries in the process.

The incident involved Subhransu Bhol, a resident of Anantaprasad village in Cuttack district. According to family members, Subhransu sensed something was wrong late on Friday night when his pet dogs began barking unusually loudly.

“Our dogs do not bark like that at night,” Subhransu later told relatives. The intensity of the noise made him believe that someone—or something—had entered the farmhouse.

As he cautiously stepped out of his room and opened the door, Subhransu was confronted with a horrifying sight: a leopard standing inside the premises.

Leopard Attacks Dog, Then Turns on the Young Man

According to preliminary reports, the leopard—a two-year-old male—first attacked one of the pet dogs before turning aggressive toward Subhransu. With no time to escape and no weapon nearby, the young man grabbed a kitchen knife in a desperate attempt to defend himself.

A violent struggle followed inside the farmhouse. Subhransu repeatedly stabbed the leopard, eventually killing it. However, the attack left him with severe injuries, including deep wounds to his skull and multiple parts of his body.

Father Recalls Terrifying Midnight Phone Call

Recounting the ordeal, Subhransu’s father, Sudarshan Bhol, said he received a distress call from his son between 12:30 am and 1 am.

“My son called me and asked me to immediately arrange an ambulance and come to the farmhouse,” Sudarshan said. “When I pressed him to explain what had happened, he told me that a leopard had entered the house and attacked him.”

Fearing for his life, Subhransu reportedly locked himself inside the house after the fight to prevent further danger until help arrived.

Injured Youth Rushed to Hospital, Condition Stable

After Sudarshan Bhol and other villagers reached the farmhouse—located just a few metres from their residence—Subhransu was given first aid. He was later rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment.

Hospital sources have confirmed that his condition is currently stable, though doctors are continuing to monitor his injuries closely.

The two pet dogs that initially confronted the leopard also sustained injuries during the attack. Family members further reported that a car and several household items were damaged amid the violent struggle.

Forest Department Recovers Leopard’s Body, Probe Launched

Following the incident, officials from the Narsinghpur West forest range rushed to the spot and recovered the leopard’s carcass. The forest department has launched an investigation to determine how the wild animal entered a residential area.

Authorities have also issued advisories urging residents to remain alert while investigations continue.

According to Manoj Patra, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the range, there were no previous reports of leopard movement in the area.

“This appears to be an unusual case. There have been no earlier sightings of leopards in this region. The animal may have wandered into the village due to abnormal behaviour or disorientation,” Patra said.

Police and Joint Task Force Visit Scene

Senior police officials and members of a joint task force also visited the farmhouse to assess the situation. Preliminary findings suggest that the leopard died due to stab wounds inflicted by Subhransu while acting purely in self-defence.

The investigation will further examine whether habitat disturbance or other environmental factors may have contributed to the leopard straying into human habitation.

Rare but Alarming Incident Raises Safety Concerns

The shocking episode has left villagers shaken and raised fresh concerns about human-wildlife conflict in Odisha. While officials maintain that the incident appears isolated, locals have urged authorities to increase monitoring and preventive measures to avoid similar encounters in the future.

For now, Subhransu Bhol’s survival stands as a chilling reminder of how quickly danger can strike—and how instinct and courage can make the difference between life and death.