Terrifying moment shopkeeper in India escapes claws of death after leopard leapt over counter to attack him

A shopkeeper in India has cheated death after a leopard burst into his store and attempted to bite him several times.

Security footage captured the moment the leopard rushed into the store selling alcohol in a small town in Rajasthan, before leaping over the counter and pouncing on Sanjay Gurjar.

The 25-year-old was able to shake off the animal, which lunged at him multiple times, before managing to run off and lock the predator inside.

The big cat can then be seen on CCTV prowling around the empty shop, knocking over boxes before hiding under a shelf.

A separate piece of security footage taken at the front of the store shows the leopard lunging at a different man, 40-year-old Fateh Lal Koli, knocking him to the floor before running over the shelf after Mr Gurjar.

Mr Gurjar suffered injuries to his hand, shoulder and nose that are not thought to be life-threatening.

It is understood that the leopard had attacked a local forest ranger less than a day before the shop incident, officials told Indian media.

The ranger had been investigating reports the feline had been seen in bushes surrounding the town when it ambushed him before journeying into the town, where it entered the alcohol shop and attacked its second and third victims.

A rescue team was deployed to capture the animal following the spate of attacks, and was caught after several hours.

Local conservationists believe the big cat had strayed into the town in search of prey after leaving surrounding forests.

Officials confirmed the leopard was a five-year-old male that will be given medical checks before being returned to the wild.