Group Captain Amit Kumar Gupta (retired), a Kargil War veteran who served in the Indian Air Force's 'Operation Safed Sagar' in 1999, has alleged that a parking attendant at Magnum Global Park in Gurugram, Haryana, assaulted him with an iron rod on Thursday evening, leaving him with serious head injuries and a fractured hand. The veteran has also alleged that the attendant threatened to kill him, and has filed a complaint with local police seeking registration of an FIR for attempted murder and grievous hurt.

How the Incident Unfolded

According to Gupta, he had visited the Gonzo restaurant at Magnum Global Park with his family for dinner. After dropping his family near the venue at around 8 pm, he went to find parking. He alleged that parking personnel repeatedly directed him to different areas — including the valet section, the basement, and the multilevel parking facility — before eventually refusing to park his vehicle.

Gupta further alleged that while he was attempting to reverse his car, one of the attendants struck the vehicle's windshield, apparently in an attempt to damage it. When he stepped out to raise an objection, the situation escalated rapidly. The attendant allegedly picked up an iron rod and struck him twice — once on his hand and once on his head — leaving him bleeding heavily. The accused also reportedly issued threats to Gupta's life during the confrontation.

Delayed Response and Alleged Police Inaction

Gupta alleged that despite the presence of security guards and other parking staff, nobody immediately intervened in the assault. He said he contacted the police helpline but claimed that no police personnel arrived at the scene for nearly 30 minutes. According to his account, a chef at the restaurant eventually stepped in and de-escalated the situation.

Gupta has also alleged that the police did not provide adequate assistance following the incident — a charge that has drawn public attention given his service record.

Surgery and Medical Concerns

Gupta was subsequently taken to Medanta Hospital in an ambulance. He underwent surgery, during which plates were used to stabilise and fuse the injured elbow bone. He alleged that the medico-legal case (MLC) report prepared by the hospital failed to accurately record the bleeding from his head and the injury to his elbow — a discrepancy he has flagged in his police complaint.

Who Is Group Captain Gupta

'Operation Safed Sagar' was the high-altitude air campaign launched by the Indian Air Force to flush out Pakistani infiltrators from occupied Indian positions in the Kargil sector during the 1999 Kargil War. Group Captain Gupta was among the IAF personnel who participated in that operation. The mission gained renewed national attention in August 2026, when an OTT series paid tribute to the IAF personnel involved in it.

Gupta has described the attack as sudden and unprovoked, saying he had little opportunity to protect himself. The case has intensified debate about the safety and dignified treatment of defence veterans in civilian settings. The police are yet to publicly confirm the status of the FIR sought by Gupta.