President's Bodyguard jawan shot in head over Diwali firecracker row in UP's Baghpat
Synopsis
A soldier posted with the President's Bodyguard — the Indian Army's most elite cavalry regiment — is fighting for his life in a Meerut ICU after being shot in the head during a Diwali firecracker quarrel in UP's Baghpat. The accused, armed with a country-made pistol, remain at large. A festive night dispute has put a decorated unit's jawan in the crosshairs of criminal violence.
Key Takeaways
Saurabh Tomar , 26 , a jawan with the President's Bodyguard , was shot in the head in Gopalpur Khadana village , Baghpat , UP , on 8 November 2025 .
The dispute began over bursting firecrackers on Diwali night and escalated when accused Dheeraj allegedly fired a country-made pistol.
Accused Monu alias Praveen allegedly assaulted Saurabh 's brother Vineet with a stick during the same confrontation.
Surgeons at a private hospital in Meerut removed the bullet; Saurabh remains in ICU in critical condition.
An FIR has been registered on the complaint of his father, Janak Raj ; three police teams are pursuing the accused, who remain at large.
Saurabh had joined the Army in 2021 and was on Diwali leave at his native village when the attack occurred.
A 26-year-old jawan serving with the President's Bodyguard was critically injured after a Diwali night dispute over firecrackers turned violent in Gopalpur Khadana village, Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, on 8 November 2025. The soldier, identified as Saurabh Tomar, sustained a bullet wound to the head and is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital in Meerut.
How the Incident Unfolded
Saurabh Tomar was bursting firecrackers outside his home alongside his brothers Vineet and Mintu when a verbal altercation broke out with two fellow villagers, identified as Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen. According to local accounts, the dispute escalated quickly when Dheeraj allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and opened fire. The bullet reportedly struck a wall before hitting Saurabh in the head, behind his ear.
Simultaneously, Monu allegedly struck Saurabh's brother Vineet with a stick, while Mintu allegedly retaliated against Monu with sticks. The sudden violence triggered panic among bystanders at the scene, and both accused fled the spot before police arrived.
Police Response and FIR
Baghpat Circle Officer Anshu Jain confirmed that Ramala police station received information about the shooting at around 10 pm on 8 November. 'Ramala police station received information that two individuals, Sonu and Dheeraj, had shot and injured a local resident, Saurabh Tomar, in Gopalpur Khadana village. It was also reported that his brother, Vipin Tomar, had been struck on the head with a stick,' Jain said.
Police teams reached the village and inspected the scene. The family had already transported the injured to a hospital in Meerut. 'Based on a formal complaint filed by Janak Raj, the police have registered a case against the two individuals under the relevant legal sections. Three police teams have been constituted and are working to apprehend the accused. They will be arrested soon, and further legal proceedings will follow,' Jain added.
An FIR has been registered on the complaint of Saurabh's father, Janak Raj. The two accused remain at large as of the latest reports, with the investigation ongoing.
Soldier's Condition and Background
Saurabh was first rushed to a Community Health Centre in Baraut before being referred to Meerut for advanced care. His family subsequently shifted him to a private hospital, where surgeons performed an operation to remove the bullet. He remains in the ICU in a critical condition.
Saurabh Tomar joined the Indian Army in 2021 and is currently posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the President's Bodyguard — the Army's senior-most cavalry regiment. He had returned to his native village in Baghpat on leave specifically to celebrate Diwali with his family.
Broader Context
This incident is among a series of firecracker-related disputes that turn violent during Diwali across Uttar Pradesh each year. What sets this case apart is the identity of the victim — a serving soldier drawn from one of the Indian Army's most prestigious units. Notably, the use of a country-made pistol points to the continued availability of illegal firearms in rural western UP, a concern law enforcement agencies have flagged repeatedly. With the accused still at large, the case will likely draw additional scrutiny on the pace of the police investigation.
Point of View
Tasked with guarding the head of state — could be shot in the head over a firecracker argument in his own village speaks to two persistent failures: the unchecked circulation of illegal country-made firearms in western UP, and the impunity with which assailants flee after violence in rural settings. The accused being at large days after the incident will raise uncomfortable questions about policing response time and witness protection. The optics are also politically sensitive — a serving soldier attacked on a national festival, in a state whose government has built its brand on law and order.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saurabh Tomar and why is his shooting significant?
Saurabh Tomar is a 26-year-old soldier posted with the President's Bodyguard at Rashtrapati Bhavan — the Indian Army's senior-most cavalry regiment responsible for guarding the President. His shooting during a Diwali firecracker dispute in his home village in Baghpat, UP, is significant because it highlights criminal violence against an on-leave serving soldier from an elite unit.
What triggered the shooting in Baghpat on Diwali night?
The dispute began when Saurabh Tomar and his brothers were bursting firecrackers outside their home in Gopalpur Khadana village on the night of 8 November 2025. A verbal argument with two neighbours, Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen, escalated, and Dheeraj allegedly fired a country-made pistol at Saurabh, striking him in the head.
What is Saurabh Tomar's current medical condition?
Saurabh Tomar remains in the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital in Meerut in critical condition. He was first taken to a Community Health Centre in Baraut, then referred to Meerut, where doctors performed surgery and successfully removed the bullet.
Have the accused been arrested?
As of the latest reports, the two accused — Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen — remain at large after fleeing the scene. Baghpat police have registered an FIR and formed three teams to apprehend them, with the Circle Officer stating they would be arrested soon.
What is the President's Bodyguard?
The President's Bodyguard is the Indian Army's senior-most cavalry regiment, tasked with providing ceremonial and security escort to the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Saurabh Tomar, who joined the Army in 2021, is posted with this unit.
