A terrifying incident in Lucknow has left a family traumatised and police searching for answers after a three-year-old girl was struck in the head by a stray bullet while playing innocently on her rooftop. The child, identified as Lakshmi, is now recovering after a critical surgery, but the mystery of where the bullet came from remains unsolved.
The Terrifying Incident on the Rooftop
The shocking event took place in Bastauli village under the Indiranagar area of Lucknow. Little Lakshmi, daughter of Ramesh, was playing under a tin shed on the terrace of her house with her two brothers. The peaceful evening was shattered by a sudden loud bang. Moments later, the family discovered Lakshmi bleeding heavily from a head wound.
Initially, her family members assumed she had suffered a fall or hit her head. They rushed her to a private hospital, where doctors treated the visible wound with stitches and sent her home. However, her condition took a serious turn later that night, forcing the family to seek help at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Critical Diagnosis and Life-Saving Surgery
At Lohia Hospital, doctors suspected the injury might be from a gunshot. Due to the critical nature of her condition and a lack of available beds, she was immediately referred to the KGMU Trauma Centre. A CT scan there confirmed the chilling truth: a bullet was lodged in the young child's skull.
Medical teams sprang into action, performing an intricate nearly five-hour-long surgery to successfully remove the projectile from her head. Following the operation, Lakshmi was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Authorities have reported that she is now out of immediate danger, marking a significant relief in this harrowing ordeal.
Police Investigation and Lingering Mystery
In the aftermath, the child's father, Ramesh, filed a formal complaint at the Ghazipur police station. Upon inspecting the scene, investigators found a bullet mark and a puncture hole in the tin shed on the rooftop. This discovery indicated the bullet had pierced the metal sheet before hitting Lakshmi, a factor that likely reduced its force and saved her life.
ACP Anindya Vikram Singh of Ghazipur stated that police teams have examined the rooftop, questioned neighbours, and begun scanning nearby CCTV footage. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that there are no licensed firearms in the immediate vicinity. This leaves investigators grappling with crucial questions: was the shot fired during celebratory firing, or did it originate from a more distant location? A thorough investigation is currently underway to trace the source of the reckless gunfire.
