Operation Bhediya: Four wolves captured after deadly attacks in UP's Bahraich; two still at large

Operation Bhediya: In response to the tragic deaths of eight people and injuries to at least 15 others in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, the district forest department has initiated "Operation Bhediya" to capture the wolves responsible for the attacks. As part of this operation, four wolves have been successfully captured, while two remain on the loose. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining wolves.

On Thursday, forest officials managed to capture one wolf, which was subsequently transferred to a shelter home. Renu Singh, Chief Forest Conservator of the Central Zone, stated, “For a long time, there has been fear of wolves in the area. Today, we have captured one wolf, which will be transferred to the zoo. We have already captured four wolves, and preparations are underway to catch the remaining two.”

A video shared by the news agency ANI, sourced from the Bahraich forest department, shows the captured wolf being transported to the shelter home.

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‘Operation Bhediya’

Under "Operation Bhediya," the Bahraich forest department has deployed advanced technology, including drone cameras and thermal mapping, to track and capture the wolves responsible for recent fatal attacks. The operation is being closely supervised by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is directly overseeing the response efforts. Forest Minister Arun Saxena visited the affected district on Wednesday, meeting with the families of the victims and assuring residents of the government's commitment to ensuring public safety.

During his visit, Saxena addressed several villages, promising that the Forest Department was actively working to capture the wolves and safeguard the community. He also provided updates on the compensation for the victims' families: an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh has been given to the families of the four deceased individuals, with payments for the remaining victims' families to follow soon.

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To enhance public safety, Saxena advised residents to avoid sleeping outdoors, keep children indoors, and securely lock their doors. He also recommended that people move in groups and carry sticks for protection when venturing outside.

On Wednesday night, a Bahraich police official reported that drones, nets, and cages are being utilized in the ongoing efforts to capture the wolves. Despite these measures, the exact number of wolves in the area remains uncertain.

Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) Sanjay Srivastava stated that 16 teams, along with 12 district-level officers, have been deployed to manage the situation. Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator Renu Singh will remain on-site until all remaining wolves are captured.

The Chief Wildlife Warden has authorized the use of tranquilizers to subdue the wolves if necessary. District Magistrate Monika Rani noted that doors are being installed in homes that lack them, and night patrols are being conducted across all villages. ASHA workers are also engaged in raising awareness among residents.

The attacks, which have occurred over the past 45 days, have resulted in the deaths of eight people, including six children and one woman, across various villages in the Mehsi tehsil.

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