A 26-year-old Army jawan serving in the President’s Bodyguard regiment at Rashtrapati Bhavan was shot in the head during a dispute over bursting firecrackers in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh on Diwali night. The soldier, identified as Saurabh Tomar, had returned to his native village of Gopalpur Khadana on two days’ leave to celebrate the festival with his family.
According to the police and the complaint filed by Saurabh’s father, Janakraj, the incident occurred around 9:15–10 pm on Sunday night. Saurabh, along with his brothers Vineet and Mintu, was bursting firecrackers on the road outside their house when two neighbours, brothers Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen, objected. An argument ensued, primarily with Vineet, and quickly turned violent.
Dheeraj allegedly took out a country-made pistol and opened fire. The bullet first struck a wall before hitting Saurabh behind the ear and lodging in his head. He collapsed with heavy bleeding. The accused also allegedly assaulted Vineet and Mintu when they tried to intervene, threatened the family with dire consequences, and fled the scene.
Family members and villagers rushed Saurabh first to the Baraut Community Health Centre for initial treatment. Doctors there provided first aid and referred him to a higher centre in Meerut. He was subsequently taken to a private hospital in Meerut, where surgeons operated and removed the bullet. His condition has been described as stable in some reports and critical in the ICU in others; he remains under medical observation.
Police registered an FIR against Dheeraj and Monu on charges of attempt to murder on the basis of the complaint by Janakraj. Circle Officer Anshu Jain and Additional Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Chauhan visited the spot and directed a thorough investigation. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the accused. A police force has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order amid tension between the two sides.
Saurabh had joined the President’s Bodyguard in 2021 and is posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is married and has a young child. The incident has raised concerns over the rapid escalation of a festive dispute into armed violence.
