The leopard straying out a bush attacked them near Dhruba Higher Secondary School in Tulsipur.

Local people said that Nandaram Khaira and Ajayasada Shankar were injured in the attack. Khaira, who has sustained head injuries, is being treated in the District Hospital. He is said to be in serious condition. He has 15 stitches on his head.

Shankar is in normal condition, doctor involved in his treatment said.

Local residents said Khaira and the leopard had a fight for some time. They said the leopard strayed out of the Krishnasar Conservation Area.

Locals have been terrorised after the incident. A technical team from the Bardiya National Park (BNP) deployed in the area is searching for the leopard, BNP officials said.

Two people were injured when a leopard attacked them at Gulariya-6 some eight months ago.