Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh): A soldier serving as a bodyguard to the President of India was shot in the head during a quarrel with his neighbours in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district on November 8, police said.
Saurabh Tomar, 26, was on leave for Diwali when the incident occurred. The dispute reportedly began when he was bursting firecrackers with his family.
According to Baghpat police, they received information about the firing around 10 pm on November 8. Preliminary investigations indicated that Saurabh was bursting firecrackers on a road with his family when two neighbours, brothers Dheeraj and Monu, objected to it.
As the argument escalated, Dheeraj allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and opened fire. The bullet struck Tomar in the head after passing through a wall, police said.
His family rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove the bullet. Hospital sources said his condition was stable.
Before fleeing the spot, the accused allegedly assaulted Tomar’s brother, Vineet, and threatened the family.
Police have registered a case against Dheeraj and Monu on charges of attempt to murder. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the accused, police said.
In his complaint, Tomar’s father, Janakaraj, said the soldier had returned home three days before Diwali and was attacked by his neighbours while bursting firecrackers. He also alleged that the neighbours’ family had a long-standing enmity with them.
Tomar has been posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the past seven years.
