Priest killed in wild elephant attack at Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich

Panic gripped villages around the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district after a wild elephant killed a 100-year-old priest, officials disclosed on Monday.

According to forest officials, the incident took place at Katiyara Baba Kutia, located under the Katarniaghat forest division on Sunday night .
The deceased has been identified as Suresh Das, a resident of Hazaripurwa village in the Karikot area. He had been living at the hut for the past 15 years, devoted to worship and leading the life of a celibate priest.

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Reports said that around 8:30 pm on Sunday, Suresh Das was having dinner with his associate Ram Lakhan. After the meal, Ram Lakhan went outside to wash utensils, while the priest remained inside the hut. During this time, a tusker entered the hut and began damaging the structure.

Ram Lakhan said when he returned, he saw the elephant inside and stepped back to fetch a torch. Meanwhile, the priest reportedly confronted the animal, saying, “Will you destroy everything? Where will we live?” The elephant then chased him. After he fell a short distance away, the animal lifted him with its tusks, flung him to the ground, and trampled him to death.

Village head Shyam Lal was informed about the incident, following which Sujauli Station House Officer Prakash Chandra Sharma reached the spot with a police team. Forest department officials also arrived to assess the situation.

Katarniaghat Ranger Ashish Gond said that elephant movement in the area has increased in recent days, making it difficult for teams to reach the spot at night. Forest staff and trained volunteers have been put on alert. Residents of villages bordering the forest have been advised to remain cautious at night, carry torches, and avoid venturing alone towards forested areas.

Notably, this is the second fatal elephant attack in the area within two days. On Friday, a woman riding a motorcycle on the Bichhiya–Mihipurwa road was attacked and killed by an elephant, while her two sons sustained serious injuries. The repeated incidents have created an atmosphere of fear across the region.