‘Operation Safed Sagar’ Veteran Attacked With Iron Rod Over Parking Dispute in Gurugram

A retired Indian Air Force officer and Kargil War veteran has alleged that he was assaulted with an iron rod by a parking attendant during a dispute at Magnum Global Park in Gurugram, leaving him with serious head and elbow injuries.

Group Captain Amit Kumar Gupta (retired), who participated in the Indian Air Force's 'Operation Safed Sagar' during the 1999 Kargil War, has made the allegations in a complaint submitted to the police. He has also accused the parking attendant of threatening to kill him.

Parking dispute escalates

According to Gupta, he had gone to the Gonzo restaurant at Magnum Global Park with his family for dinner on Thursday night. After dropping his family near the venue around 8 pm, he went to park his car.

Gupta alleged that parking personnel repeatedly directed him to different parking areas, including the valet section, basement and multilevel parking facility, before eventually refusing to park the vehicle.

He further alleged that while he was reversing his car, one of the attendants struck the vehicle's windshield, apparently attempting to damage it.

Veteran alleges iron-rod attack

Speaking to NDTV, Gupta said he stepped out of his vehicle to question the attendant, following which the argument escalated.

He alleged that the parking attendant picked up an iron rod and hit him twice — once on the hand and once on the head. Gupta said the assault caused heavy bleeding and that the accused subsequently threatened his life.

Despite security guards and other parking employees being present, Gupta alleged that no one intervened immediately.

He said he called the police helpline but claimed that police personnel arrived only after nearly 30 minutes.

A chef from the restaurant eventually intervened, according to Gupta, and helped prevent the confrontation from escalating further.

Surgery performed for elbow injury

Gupta was later taken by ambulance to Medanta Hospital, where he received treatment for injuries to his head and elbow.

He said he underwent surgery on his elbow, during which plates were used to stabilise and fuse the injured bone.

Gupta described the incident as sudden and unprovoked, saying he had little opportunity to defend himself.

Veteran questions MLC report

The retired officer has also alleged that he did not receive adequate assistance from the local police after the incident. He claimed that the hospital's medico-legal case (MLC) report did not properly record the bleeding from his head or the injury to his elbow.

Gupta has sought strict action against the accused and urged the police to register an FIR under provisions relating to attempted murder and causing grievous hurt.

What is Operation Safed Sagar?

Operation Safed Sagar was the Indian Air Force's high-altitude air operation during the 1999 Kargil War. The operation was aimed at helping drive Pakistani infiltrators from Indian positions occupied in the Kargil sector.

An OTT series released in August also depicted the operation and paid tribute to the Indian Air Force personnel who participated in the conflict.