Baghpat: Police on Wednesday announced a reward of Rs 10,000 each for information leading to the arrest of two absconding accused in connection with the shooting of a 26-year-old President's Bodyguard (PBG) jawan during a clash over firecrackers in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat.

Saurabh Tomar, who is posted with the PBG at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, was shot in the head on November 8 while visiting his native Gopalpur Khadana village to celebrate Diwali, police said.

According to officials, a verbal altercation between Monu and Dheeraj on one side and Vipin and his brother Saurabh on the other escalated into a physical fight. Vipin was injured in the altercation, while Saurabh's brother was also hit on the head with a stick.

During the clash, a bullet fired by Dheeraj struck a wall and ricocheted, hitting Saurabh in the head, Additional Superintendent of Police Praveen Singh Chauhan said.

Both injured men were taken to a hospital. Saurabh was later referred to Subharti Medical College in Meerut, where doctors removed the bullet from his head. Both are currently stable, police said.

Police registered a case at Ramala police station based on a complaint filed by the men's father, Jank Raj. Three teams have been formed to arrest the accused, and raids are being conducted at various locations.

The Superintendent of Police announced a reward of Rs 10,000 each for the two accused, officials said.

Saurabh joined the Army in 2021 and is currently serving with the PBG, which is responsible for the security of President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.