LAHORE: A horrifying incident unfolded in Lahore’s Johar Town where a lion attacked a family, leaving three people—including two children—seriously injured.
Police reports indicate that the attack occurred at a private farmhouse, where the lion escaped from an unsecured enclosure. The victims were rushed to Jinnah Hospital, with both children said to be in critical condition.
Following the incident, a team from the Punjab Wildlife Department was immediately dispatched to the scene. The farmhouse was evacuated, and efforts to capture the animal began. Wildlife officials stated that the lion managed to leap over a wall and enter a nearby street, where it attacked residents before fleeing.
The lion is reportedly owned by Malik Azam Murtaza, also known as Shani, who kept the wild animal at his dera in Shah Di Khui without the required legal permits.
The Punjab Wildlife Department confirmed that Murtaza did not hold a license to keep the lion and that doing so is a non-bailable offense under local law. Penalties for such violations include up to seven years in prison and a fine of Rs 5 million.
Wildlife teams are actively conducting raids in Shah Di Khui and surrounding areas to recover the escaped lion and arrest its owner. A departmental spokesperson confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated and an FIR is being prepared.
Authorities are urging the public to report any sightings of the lion and to exercise caution in the area until the animal is secured.
