A 26-year-old jawan serving in the President's Bodyguard regiment at Rashtrapati Bhavan was shot in the head during a dispute over bursting firecrackers in Gopalpur Khadana village in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district on Diwali night, India Today reported.

Source: India Today via News89

The jawan, Saurabh Tomar, had returned to his native village on two days' leave to celebrate the festival with his family. He joined the President's Bodyguard in 2021 and is currently posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to the reports.

According to the complaint filed by Saurabh's father, Janakraj, the incident took place at around 9.15 to 10 p.m. on Sunday night, when Saurabh was bursting firecrackers on the road outside the family home with his brothers Vineet and Mintu. Two neighbours, Dheeraj and Monu, also known as Praveen, allegedly objected and confronted the brothers, and the argument escalated.

Source: SSB Crack

The complaint states that 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. These are allegations made in the family's complaint; the police investigation is continuing.

Family members and villagers rushed Saurabh first to the Community Health Centre at Baraut for first aid, from where he was referred to a private hospital in Meerut. Surgeons there operated and removed the bullet. Some reports described his condition as critical in the intensive care unit, while others said he was stable after the surgery; he remains under medical observation.

Police have registered an FIR against Dheeraj and Monu on charges of attempt to murder on the basis of Janakraj's complaint, and an investigation is under way.