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A toddler was mauled to death by a leopard in a gruesome attack as he played in his back garden, according to reports.

Local reports said the 2-year-old boy was mauled to death by the big cat in Sharhama village in the disputed Indian region of North Kashmir's Handwara area on Friday evening, local time. After finding the toddler in a pool of blood, locals raced to take the child to the health centre in Qalamabad where he was treated for his injuries.

Despite doctors' best efforts, the child succumbed to his injuries. Local reports identified the child as Hasnain Nisar, the only child of his family. He is understood to have been playing in the garden of his home when he was attacked. Authorities confirmed the child died in the attack.

The death is one of several instances where people have been killed by wild animals in the country. Leopards have been seized following similar attacks in the border region between Pakistan and India.

There have been six reported wildlife attacks in the region in the past few months, according to local reports. Residents continue to voice their frustration with wildlife officials amid the attacks.

Sheikh Khurshid, an Indian politician of the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, responded to the death and visited the area following the attack. He urged wildlife officials to continue to capture dangerous animals in order to prevent a similar attack.

"My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family in this time of immense sorrow. It is imperative that wildlife officials act swiftly to ensure the safety of our local residents," Khurshid added.