Former Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Amar Singh Chahal is now stable and recovering after doctors at Park Hospital in Patiala successfully performed a life-saving emergency surgery. Chahal was admitted in critical condition with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.
Critical Condition and Timely Decision
The retired officer was brought to the hospital's emergency department on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, with a bullet entry wound on the left side of his chest and an exit wound on his back. The injury resulted in a massive blood loss of approximately 1.5 litres, putting his life in immediate peril.
Medical experts highlighted that the family's crucial decision to rush him to the nearest super-specialty facility in Patiala, instead of a more distant centre in Chandigarh, played a pivotal role in saving his life. Prompt resuscitation and immediate care upon arrival were initiated without delay.
A High-Risk Surgical Marathon
Led by cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Dr. Sidharth Garg, a multidisciplinary team swung into action. With all routine operation theatres occupied, a special theatre was prepared on an emergency basis for the complex procedure.
The surgery, lasting nearly three to four hours, involved:
- Repair of a large tear in the left lung.
- Stabilisation of multiple rib fractures.
- Managing the trajectory of the bullet, which had passed dangerously close to the heart and major blood vessels.
Dr. Garg noted that survival rates in such severe chest gunshot injuries are typically only 30–40 per cent, making Chahal's case particularly challenging due to the extensive lung damage and severe haemorrhage.
Road to Recovery
Post-surgery, the patient was kept on ventilator support in the CTVS ICU for two days before being successfully extubated. Colonel Rajul Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Park Hospital, Patiala, stated that Chahal is now stable, off ventilator support, and has started taking a soft diet.
Doctors involved in the care, including anaesthetist Dr. Arjun Pratap Joshi and surgeon Dr. Gurjot Singh, expect a complete recovery within about one week. The medical team's swift response and expertise turned a critical trauma case into a story of survival.
