President’s Bodyguard Jawan Saurabh Tomar Shot in Head in UP Diwali Firecracker Dispute

A 26-year-old Army soldier serving with the President’s Bodyguard at Rashtrapati Bhavan was shot in the head during a dispute over firecrackers in his native village in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district on Diwali night, according to police and a complaint filed by his father.

The soldier, Saurabh Tomar, had returned to Gopalpur Khadana on two days’ leave to celebrate the festival with his family. The incident took place at around 9.15–10 pm on Sunday, when Saurabh and his brothers, Vineet and Mintu, were bursting firecrackers on the road outside their house.

According to the complaint lodged by their father, Janakraj, two neighbours, brothers Dheeraj and Monu, also known as Praveen, objected. An argument followed, mainly involving Vineet, and escalated into violence.

Dheeraj allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and fired. The bullet first hit a wall before striking Saurabh behind the ear and lodging in his head. He fell with heavy bleeding. The complaint also alleges that Dheeraj and Monu assaulted Vineet and Mintu when they tried to intervene, threatened the family and then fled.

Family members and villagers took Saurabh to the Baraut Community Health Centre, where he received first aid before being referred to a higher medical facility in Meerut. He was later admitted to a private hospital in the city, where surgeons operated and removed the bullet. Reports have described his condition differently: some said he was stable, while others reported that he was critical and in the intensive care unit. He remains under medical observation.

Police have registered a first information report 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 officers to conduct a thorough investigation. Police said efforts were underway to trace and arrest the two accused.

A police force has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order 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 incident began with a disagreement over festive firecrackers and ended with the soldier seriously wounded by gunfire.