Bahraich: Three persons, including a woman, were injured in an attack by a leopard in Katarniya Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district here in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, forest department sources said here.

Forest department sources said that a Tharu woman Raj Kumari (53) was attacked by the leopard while she was working in Rana Farm in Sujauli area under Nishan Gara range in the morning.

"In a bid to save herself Raj Kumari put her hands forwards and the leopard chewed her fingers. She somehow managed to save her life," they said.

Sources said that after this the leopard attacked Vijay Pratap (43) while he was guarding his crops.

"When the villagers raised alarm the leopard reached neighbouring Azamgarh Purwa village and attacked another farmer Dalwinder Singh, who sustained serious injuries on neck, shoulder and chest," they said.

Sources said that the injured were taken to Primary Health Center at Sujauli from where they were referred to community health center Motipur in a serious condition. Forest Guard Kaushal Kishore Singh, watchers Ramesh Kumar and Pankaj Yadav assured the villagers of safety.

(With UNI inputs)