A rogue elephant in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district has caused widespread panic, killing at least 17-22 people since early January 2026, including families and children in brutal nighttime attacks.​
Attack Details
The elephant, likely a young male in musth exhibiting heightened aggression, struck multiple villages like Babadia, Sialjod, Benisagar, and Noamundi. Notable incidents include the January 6 annihilation of a family of four (husband, wife, two children) in Babadia huts, Prakash Das’ decapitation, Chipri Chimpi’s fatal injuries, and a minor boy’s death. Over nine days, it covered a 100-km radius across forest divisions, attacking after dark and retreating to dense woods.​
Response Efforts
Forest officials, led by Aditya Narayan and Smita Pankaj, deployed 80+ personnel, thermal drones, quick-response teams, and experts from West Bengal, Odisha, Wildlife SOS, Vantara, and Wildlife Institute of India. PSAs urge using torches and firecrackers; villagers received safety kits, and high-risk residents relocated temporarily. One forest officer from Bengal was critically injured while chasing it.​
Broader Context
Jharkhand reports over 1,300 elephant-related deaths since state formation, fueled by habitat loss, musth aggression, and retaliatory villager attacks. The elephant evaded capture as of January 10 amid fog, Maoist areas, and IED risks; plans include tranquilization and relocation once located.​
