Gujarat: Lion Kills 11-Year-Old Boy on Girnar Hill, Pilgrimage Suspended
An 11-year-old boy was killed by a lion on Gujarat's Girnar Hill early Sunday morning, prompting authorities to suspend the pilgrimage and launch a search operation. The incident occurred around 5:45 am near the 50th step of the pilgrimage route, in the presence of hundreds of devotees.
The boy, from Modaj village in Kheda district, was climbing the hill with his family when a lion dragged him into the nearby forest. Parts of his body were later recovered about 100 metres from the spot and sent for forensic examination.
The Forest Department immediately stopped devotees from using the Girnar steps and deployed trackers, forest guards and veterinary teams. Within four hours, officials captured a lion suspected to be responsible. Two other lions spotted in the area were also captured as a precaution and shifted to Sakkarbaug Zoo for examination.
According to Forest Department officials, the suspected lion vomited during examination, and body parts were found in the vomit, strengthening the suspicion of its involvement. The other two lions are also being examined. Officials have collected paw prints, drag marks and other evidence from the scene.
Girnar Hill, near Junagadh, is a major pilgrimage site in western India, home to ancient Jain and Hindu temples including the Ambaji and Dattatreya temples. Thousands of devotees climb nearly 10,000 steps daily to reach the shrines. The pilgrimage route has been temporarily closed until further notice.
