Bilaspur, March 14 — A shepherd was allegedly murdered in Malhot village of Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Saturday after being attacked with an axe, police officials said. The victim, believed to be around 45 years old, was found dead with a deep injury on his neck in the Shah Talai police station area.
Police said the suspected attacker fled the scene after the assault. A case has been registered and search operations are underway to locate the accused.
Investigation Underway
According to preliminary police information, the deceased had been staying in the area temporarily with his flock of sheep. He had reportedly arrived in the Malhot region four to five days before the incident and was living nearby while tending to his animals.
Local residents alerted authorities early Saturday morning after noticing the suspicious circumstances around the shepherd’s death. Police from Shah Talai station rushed to the spot and secured the area for investigation.
During the initial inquiry, officers found that the victim had suffered a fatal blow to the neck from a sharp weapon, believed to be an axe.
Forensic Team Examines Scene
A forensic team was also called to the location to collect evidence and examine the crime scene. Officials said samples and other material were gathered to assist the investigation.
The body was later sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bilaspur for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal confirmed that a murder case had been registered and teams were working to track down the suspect.
“The accused attacked the victim with an axe and fled the scene. Police teams are conducting searches and we expect progress soon,” the SP said.
Community Background
Initial information suggests that both the victim and the suspected attacker belong to the Gaddi community, a pastoral group known for traditional sheep and goat herding in the Himalayan region.
Such shepherds often move between grazing areas seasonally and stay temporarily in remote locations while tending to their flocks.
Search for Accused Continues
Police said investigators are examining possible motives and questioning people familiar with the victim to understand the circumstances leading to the attack.
Officials added that additional details about the incident are likely to emerge once the accused is identified and taken into custody.
Authorities have appealed to local residents to share any information that could help in the investigation.
