KANPUR, April 26 -- A 45-year-old shepherd was dragged into the Chambal river by a crocodile near Harpura village in Auraiya district on Saturday afternoon, triggering an extensive search operation by forest and police teams. The victim remained missing till late night despite hours of rescue efforts.

The man, identified as Ramveer Nishad, a native of Bijalpur village, had been living with his maternal family in Harpura for the past two years.

According to eyewitnesses, Ramveer had brought his flock to the riverbank near Gauri Mata temple around 12:30 pm. After allowing the sheep to drink, he entered the river for a bath when a crocodile, reportedly lurking nearby, attacked him and pulled him into the deeper part of the river.

Bystande...