Boy, 4, is mauled to death by leopard who grabbed child as he played in garden & dragged him for nearly half a mile

A YOUNG boy has been mauled to death by a leopard who grabbed him as he played in the garden and dragged the child for nearly half a mile. The four-year-old was reportedly playing in his uncle’s backyard when the animal snatched him yesterday. A leopard involved in an earlier mauling shot dead by wildlife officialsJam Press Youngster Mehraz Azad Mir was killed after being snatched by a leopardJam Press The leopard dragged little Mehraz Azad Mir – from Kashmir, India – nearly 500 metres, taking him into nearby woodland, where the child sustained fatal injuries. Eyewitnesses said they saw Mehraz in the leopard’s mouth. Aijaz Ahmed said: “We heard cries of the minor before the beast was chased by the locals. “The leopard dragged him into the woods for more than 500 metres. MORE ON INDIA MANEATER Girl, 6, mauled to death by leopard in FOURTH fatal attack after three kids eaten SICK & TWISTED Girl, 13, dies after being 'gang-raped while her sister egged attackers on' “Following the incident, the locals are living in a constant state of fear.” He was found in critical condition at around 8pm and taken to the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) Zachaldara where he was declared dead. Horrifying images show the deep cuts sustained to the child’s face and body. Wildlife officials and authorities have already cautioned the locals to keep an eye out. Most read in The Sun RIDDLE REGRET US star Fritz's WAG steals show on Centre Court - and fans all say same thing Jacques it in Jacques leaves Love Island fans FURIOUS after x-rated moment 'GAME PLAYER' Love Island fans slam ‘snake’ Islander for ‘playing games’ to stay on show 'broken' I didn’t put mine & Paddy’s marriage in this situation, says Christine McGuinness 'I DON'T KNOW' Nadal admits he might not play semi-final which would send Kyrgios to final home time Love Island fans spot ‘clue’ one islander is brutally dumped after Casa Amor The shocking news comes following a spate of maulings in India, with five children killed since 2 June. Another leopard was shot dead yesterday at 11pm in the Bernate area of Uri, north Kashmir following the deaths of Amir Muneer, 13, Shahid Ahmad, 12, and Rutba Manzoor. Last month, around 50 people from the wildlife department including local sharpshooters were called in to neutralise the leopard. Since 2007, at least 232 people have been killed and more than 2,810 have been left injured in leopard and bear attacks in the erstwhile Himalayan state.