The attack took place in southern Rajouri district late Saturday, a police spokesman said. A leopard attacked and killed a 75-year-old man in the same district on December 28.

The spokesman said the shepherd, Subash Chand, had gone to graze his cattle near a snow-covered forest area when he was attacked.

His half-eaten body was recovered by villagers.

"Wildlife officials are searching for the leopard," the spokesman said, adding that due to heavy snow in the mountains some leopards had come down to the plains.

Leopards are a protected species in India and its portion of Kashmir but police and wildlife officials can shoot them if they endanger humans.

There are an estimated 14,000 leopards in India but their numbers have been dwindling as they fall victims to poachers for their prized pelts.

Attacks by leopards are often more frequent in winters when they descend from the high mountains to the plains in search of food.

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