Nainital Elephant Attack: A Woman is Killed as Wild Elephant Charges at Three Women

May 1, 2026

Nainital: In Nainital today, an elephant attacked three women who had gone into the forest to gather firewood, resulting in the death of one woman. The incident occurred in the Tanda area of ​​Lalkuan, a region where an elephant has killed three people within a span of just 72 hours. The surviving women recounted that they had entered the forest in the morning and were gathering firewood together as a group.

Suddenly, they spotted an elephant charging towards them. They all fled in an attempt to save themselves, but their companion, Maina Devi (60), was left behind. The elephant grabbed her from behind with its trunk and then trampled her under its feet, causing her to die on the spot.

Maina Devi was mother of three children

The two women who had accompanied the deceased returned to their residential colony in a state of panic and distress, where they recounted the harrowing ordeal to the residents. Upon hearing the news, the colony residents rushed to the scene; however, by the time they arrived, Maina Devi had already passed away, and the elephant had fled the area.

The deceased was a resident of Jha Colony, Pantnagar; she is survived by three children (two daughters and one son).

Meanwhile, upon receiving news of the incident, Rajesh Shukla, the former MLA of Kichha, visited the site to take stock of the situation. He met with the bereaved family and assured them of every possible assistance from the government.