SKARDU, Feb 14: Fear and panic gripped Frano village after a snow leopard enterd a cattle pen in search of food.

Snow leopards have so far killed three horses, two buffaloes, and 31 sheep and goats in the village.

The snow leopard broke into the cattle pen in search of food and grabbed and ate a calf. On hearing the noise, the housewife rushed to the pen, shut the door of the pen and locked it from outside.

The news of the leopard having been trapped inside a pen spread like a jungle fire and people turned out in large numbers at the place to witness the rare animal.

However, the euphoria of the villagers soon turned into fear and anxiety after another leopard came into the village in search of the other, forcing the people to remain indoors. However, it soon left the village after roaming the streets of the village for a while.

On hearing the news, Ghanche Deputy Commissioner Fida Hussain, DFO Anwar Ali and other top officials concerned reached the spot, captured the animal and freed it outside the village.