A Diwali firecracker dispute in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district ended with a 26-year-old soldier being shot in the head, according to police and his family’s complaint. Saurabh Tomar, who serves in the President’s Bodyguard regiment at Rashtrapati Bhavan, was visiting his native village of Gopalpur Khadana on two days’ leave.
Complaint describes how the dispute escalated
Janakraj, Saurabh’s father, said in his complaint that the incident took place at around 9:15–10 pm on Sunday night. Saurabh was bursting firecrackers on the road outside the family home with his brothers Vineet and Mintu when neighbours Dheeraj and Monu, also known as Praveen, objected. An argument followed, mainly involving Vineet, and turned violent.
According to the complaint, Dheeraj drew a country-made pistol and fired. The bullet first hit a wall, then struck Saurabh behind the ear and lodged in his head. The complaint also alleges that Dheeraj and Monu assaulted Vineet and Mintu when they intervened, threatened the family and fled.
Soldier remains under medical observation
Family members and villagers took Saurabh to the Baraut Community Health Centre, where he received first aid before being referred to a higher centre in Meerut. He was later treated at a private hospital there, where surgeons operated to remove the bullet. Reports have described his condition differently: some said he was stable, while others reported that he was critical in the ICU. He remains under medical observation.
Police investigation underway
Police registered an FIR against Dheeraj and Monu on charges of attempt to murder, based on Janakraj’s complaint. Circle Officer Anshu Jain and Additional Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Chauhan visited the scene and directed a thorough investigation. Police said efforts were underway to trace and arrest the accused, while a force was deployed in the area amid tension between the two sides.
Saurabh joined the President’s Bodyguard in 2021 and is posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is married and has a young child. The case concerns a festive dispute that, according to the complaint, escalated into armed violence.
