Three locals were injured in a leopard attack in a forest at Chaubise Rural Municipality -5 of Dhankuta district on Saturday.

The injured are 26-year-old Mukesh Yakha, 30-year-old Bhuvan Yakha and 33-year-old Pavin Yakha.

According to police, they were attacked by a leopard while searching for fodder for pigs in the forest near Maunakhola on Saturday afternoon.

Among the injured, Pavin is being treated at a local health facility, while Mukesh and Bhuvan are receiving treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan. They were taken to the hospital on Saturday night.

It is said that Mukesh was initially attacked by a leopard and others were injured while trying to save him.

Mukesh has sustained serious injuries to his hand and feet, said Sub Inspector Sharada Prasad Sah of Rajarani Police Office.