A 26-year-old Army jawan serving in the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) regiment was allegedly shot during a dispute between two groups in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district on Deepavali night. The soldier, identified as Saurabh Tomar, sustained a bullet injury behind his ear and underwent surgery at a private hospital in Meerut. His condition is reported to be stable.
The incident took place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Gopalpur Khadana village. According to the police, two local residents, identified as Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen, allegedly opened fire during an argument involving Tomar and his brothers.
What Happened in Baghpat?
Saurabh Tomar, who is 26 years old, joined the Army in 2021 and is currently posted with the President’s Bodyguard at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. He had returned to his native village on leave to celebrate Deepavali with his family.
On Sunday night, Tomar was reportedly bursting firecrackers outside his house with his brothers, Vineet and Mintu, when an argument allegedly broke out with two villagers, Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen.
The disagreement reportedly escalated into violence. According to a police statement, the two accused allegedly fired a shot at around 9:45 pm. The bullet reportedly hit a wall before ricocheting and striking Saurabh Tomar behind his ear.
His brother Vineet also sustained a head injury after allegedly being attacked with a stick during the incident.
Soldier Undergoes Surgery in Meerut
Following the shooting, Saurabh Tomar was rushed to a private hospital in Meerut for medical treatment. Doctors performed surgery to treat his bullet injury.
According to the information available, his condition is stable. His brother Vineet also suffered injuries and received medical attention.
The incident has drawn attention because Tomar is serving in the elite President’s Bodyguard regiment, one of the Indian Army’s most prominent ceremonial and operational units.
FIR Registered Against Two Accused
Following the incident, Tomar’s father, Janak Raj, filed a complaint at Ramala police station in Baghpat.
Police registered a case against the two accused based on the complaint. A police statement said that three teams had been formed to arrest Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen.
The two accused had not been arrested at the time of the latest available report, and efforts were underway to trace their whereabouts.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the dispute and the alleged shooting. Further details about the investigation and the legal sections invoked in the case were not available in the report.
What Is the President’s Bodyguard Regiment?
The President’s Bodyguard is the oldest and senior-most cavalry regiment in the Indian Army. It is stationed at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi and performs ceremonial duties associated with the President of India.
The regiment has a distinguished history and is responsible for several important ceremonial functions, including guarding the President and participating in major state occasions.
The shooting of a serving member of the regiment in his hometown has brought the incident into focus. Meanwhile, police efforts to arrest the two accused are continuing.
