A wild leopard wreaked havoc as it rampaged through a residential area and injured wildlife officers chasing after it.

The big cat was spotted running loose in the gated Defence Housing Authority (DHA) neighbourhood in Islamabad, Pakistan on February 16 afternoon.

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) officers set up nets and cages, but failed to capture the animal that kept breaking through the traps.

Cornered, the leopard began to pursue a female officer across the street as a man appeared to open fire at the animal. It was finally caught after being sedated with tranquilisers following a five-hour mission.

Three people were reported injured with non-fatal wounds.

Rina Saeed Khan, head of the IWMB, said in a statement: 'The lone male common leopard captured from DHA was sedated and brought safely to IWMB's rescue and rehab centre.

'The leopard is now awake and roaming inside its enclosure. There were no fatalaties. Everyone is safe and sound.'