Rashtrapati Bhavan Security Personnel Shot on Diwali: Baghpat Police Arrest Two Brothers After Encounter

Baghpat: A dispute over Diwali celebrations that left a young Army personnel battling for his life has taken a significant turn, with Baghpat Police arresting two brothers following an encounter on Friday.

The accused had allegedly shot the 26-year-old soldier, who is posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in the head during an altercation over the bursting of firecrackers.

The arrested men have been identified as Dheeraj, 27, and his younger brother Monu, also known as Praveen, 25. Police had announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for each of them.

According to police officials, investigators received information that the brothers were taking shelter near a tubewell behind Budhpur railway station.

A police team subsequently reached the location and cordoned off the area.

Police alleged that the suspects fired at the approaching team, forcing the personnel to retaliate.

Dheeraj was hit by a bullet during the exchange.

His brother reportedly tried to escape by entering a nearby sugarcane field, but police personnel eventually located and apprehended him after searching.

The injured accused was taken to a hospital for medical attention. Police said two country-made firearms and ammunition were recovered from the arrested men.

Circle Officer Anshu Jain confirmed the arrests, adding that Dheeraj has four criminal cases registered against him, while his brother Monu faces one such case.

Dheeraj works as a farmer, whereas Monu earns his livelihood as a private driver.

Firecracker celebration turns into a violent confrontation

The incident dates back to Diwali night, when Saurabh Tomar had returned to his native Gopalpur Khadana village to celebrate the festival with his family.

He and his relatives were setting off firecrackers on the village road when Dheeraj and Monu allegedly objected to the activity.

What began as a disagreement reportedly escalated into a heated confrontation involving the accused and Saurabh’s elder brother, Vineet, 28.

In his police complaint, Saurabh’s father, Janakraj, alleged that the two brothers arrived carrying an illegal country-made pistol and sticks.

They allegedly attacked his sons, with Dheeraj firing at Saurabh with the intention of killing him. Vineet was also reportedly struck on the head with a stick.

The bullet left Saurabh critically injured. His family rushed him to a hospital, where doctors operated to extract the projectile.

His condition was subsequently described as stable. Janakraj also accused the two men of verbally abusing the family and threatening to kill them.

Soldier recalls the moments before the shooting

Recounting the terrifying episode from a private hospital in Meerut, where he is receiving treatment, Saurabh said he had initially remained inside the house.

He stepped outside after hearing people shouting abuses and found the accused confronting children who were celebrating Diwali with firecrackers.

He said he had barely come out to understand what was happening when the situation turned violent, and shots were fired at him.

The sudden attack left him with no opportunity to intervene or understand what had provoked the assailants.

Saurabh maintained that there had been no previous hostility between the two families and said he could not identify any reason for the attack. He also pointed out that the accused were his neighbours and people he had known for years.

Young soldier was the family’s first government employee

The attack has been particularly distressing for the family because Saurabh’s government employment represented a major achievement for the household.

He is the first member of his family to secure a government job and has been serving at Rashtrapati Bhavan for approximately seven years.

Married around two years ago, he also has a nine-month-old child. His father described him as a source of pride for the family and the village.

His elder brothers, Sumit and Vineet, are engaged in farming.

Saurabh, however, had carved out a different path by joining government service, becoming an inspiration for his family and others in the village.

When asked whether jealousy over his professional achievement could have played a role in the shooting, Saurabh said he had no information suggesting such a motive.

He reiterated that he had shared a neighbourhood with the accused for a long time and was unaware of any dispute that could explain the violence.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and the alleged motive behind the shooting.