Bengaluru (PTI): A veterinary doctor, who had entered an enclosure to provide medical care at the Tavarekoppa Lion and Safari Zoo in Shivamogga, died after being attacked by a hippopotamus.

The deceased, Dr Sameeksha Reddy (26), had been recently appointed on a contract basis, office of Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said in a statement.

She was attacked by the hippopotamus around 11.30 pm on Thursday while attending to a wild animal, it said.

According to Khandre's office, She was rushed to a hospital in Shivamogga but succumbed to her injuries around 6.30 am on Friday, doctors said.

Calling it an unfortunate incident, the minister said the government stands with the bereaved family during this difficult time. “Every life is precious. May God give strength to the family to bear this loss,” he said.

The minister has ordered compensation to the family of the deceased doctor as per norms.

He also instructed that veterinarians at all zoos in the state must strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while treating wild animals.

Khandre further ordered an inquiry into the incident by a team comprising senior veterinarians and forest officials, and directed that a report be submitted within seven days.

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Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.

He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.

"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.

"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.

Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."

He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."

Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.

Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.

"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.

On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.

He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.

"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.

Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.