Ahmedabad doctors save man after knife attack left intestines exposed in 3-hour surgery
Synopsis
While most of Ahmedabad celebrated Gujarati New Year, a surgical team at Shardaben General Hospital was two hours into a life-saving operation on a knife attack victim whose intestines had left his body. The case is a stark illustration of the festive-season pressure on Gujarat's public hospitals — with 108 Emergency Services logging 18,513 calls over just three days, a 25.67% jump above normal.
Key Takeaways
Doctors at Shardaben General Hospital , Ahmedabad , performed a three-hour emergency surgery at 2 am on Gujarati New Year night to save a knife attack victim.
The patient, brought in on 13 November , had sustained a stab wound severe enough to cause his intestines to protrude from his abdomen.
The surgical team was led by Hemant Leuva , Jainam Shah , Lakir Patel , and Prutha Jadav ; the patient's condition is now stable.
The patient will remain under observation for four to five days post-surgery.
The '108' Emergency Medical Services handled 18,513 cases over Diwali, Gujarati New Year, and Bhai Beej — up 25.67% from the daily average.
Road accident cases on Gujarati New Year reached 1,541 , a 138.54% spike above the normal daily average of 646 ; Ahmedabad recorded the highest district tally at 437 .
Doctors at Shardaben General Hospital in Ahmedabad performed a three-hour emergency surgery at 2 am on the night of Gujarati New Year to save a man who had suffered a severe stab wound that caused his intestines to protrude from his abdomen, authorities said on Saturday, 14 November. The patient was brought to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)-run facility in Saraspur late on the night of 13 November in a critical condition.
The Emergency and Surgery
The stab wound to the patient's abdomen was severe enough to force his intestines outside his body, placing him in immediate danger. The hospital's surgery department mobilised without delay, initiating the emergency procedure in the early hours of the morning. The operation was led by specialist doctors Hemant Leuva, Jainam Shah, Lakir Patel, and Prutha Jadav, supported by resident doctors Nachiket Sakhiya, Jay Patel, and Sanyam Bhatt.
'The three-hour procedure was completed successfully, and the patient was brought out of danger. His condition is currently stable,' the hospital said in a statement. The patient is expected to remain under close medical observation for a further four to five days to ensure a full recovery.
Duty Over Festivities
The surgery was conducted during the Diwali and Gujarati New Year celebrations — a period when many of the medical team members were on duty rather than with their families. Hospital staff continued to attend to patients through the festive period, including during this late-night emergency, underscoring the demands placed on public health infrastructure during high-footfall occasions.
Festive Season Surge in Emergency Cases
The knife attack case is not an isolated pressure point. According to reports, the '108' Emergency Medical Services handled 18,513 cases across Diwali, Gujarati New Year, and Bhai Beej — a 25.67% rise over the daily average. Road accident cases spiked sharply on Gujarati New Year alone, reaching 1,541, which is 138.54% above the normal daily average of 646.
Notably, Ahmedabad recorded the highest number of road accident cases over the three-day festive window, at 437. Authorities also reported an increase in physical assault and burn-related emergencies during the same period — a pattern that has been observed in previous festive seasons as well.
Broader Context
The surge in emergency cases during major festivals highlights a recurring strain on Gujarat's public healthcare system. The 108 Emergency Medical Services data points to a consistent seasonal spike that health administrators have flagged in prior years, yet the volume of cases during this cycle appears to have exceeded typical projections. As the patient continues his recovery, the episode has drawn attention to the dedication of frontline medical teams working through public holidays at AMC-run hospitals.
Point of View
But the 108 Emergency Services data behind it tells a systemic one: Gujarat's public hospitals absorb an enormous and predictable festive-season surge with no apparent structural preparation. A 138% spike in road accidents on a single day is not a surprise — it is a pattern. The fact that a surgical team had to operate at 2 am on a public holiday is a tribute to individual dedication, but it also exposes how thinly staffed AMC facilities run when it matters most. The question health administrators need to answer is why each festive cycle produces the same data and the same heroics, rather than a planned surge-response protocol.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Shardaben General Hospital on Gujarati New Year night?
Doctors at Shardaben General Hospital in Ahmedabad performed a three-hour emergency surgery at 2 am on Gujarati New Year night to save a man whose intestines had protruded after a knife attack. The patient was brought to the AMC-run hospital in Saraspur late on the night of 13 November in a critical condition.
Who performed the emergency surgery in Ahmedabad?
The surgery was carried out by specialist doctors Hemant Leuva, Jainam Shah, Lakir Patel, and Prutha Jadav, assisted by resident doctors Nachiket Sakhiya, Jay Patel, and Sanyam Bhatt. All were on duty during the Diwali and Gujarati New Year festive period.
What is the current condition of the knife attack victim?
The patient's condition is currently stable following the successful three-hour operation. He is expected to remain under close medical observation for four to five days to ensure a complete recovery.
How many emergency cases did Gujarat's 108 services handle during the festive period?
The '108' Emergency Medical Services handled 18,513 cases over Diwali, Gujarati New Year, and Bhai Beej, a 25.67% increase over the daily average. Road accident cases on Gujarati New Year alone reached 1,541 — 138.54% above the normal daily average of 646.
Which city recorded the most road accident cases during the festive period in Gujarat?
Ahmedabad recorded the highest number of road accident cases over the three festive days, at 437. Authorities also noted a rise in physical assault and burn-related emergencies during the same period across the state.
