J and K jawan survives burst of AK-47 gunfire

A paramilitry force jawan, who took five bullets from an AK-47 in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir,  was recently discharged from the AIIMS trauma centre here. Doctors say survival in a case like this is rare.

The jawan, whose identity was not revealed, got four bullets in his chest and one in the abdomen during a gunfight with terrorists in Udhampur district of Jammu.

The shots were fired from just 12 metres.

Bleeding

Such injuries usually result in continuous bleeding that finally leads to death.
“Survival in such a case is unusual. Spleen and liver are notorious for bleeding.

The jawan’s liver was damaged,” said Dr M C Misra, chief of AIIMS trauma centre.
The jawan was first taken to a local facility.

After his condition became stable, he was airlifted and brought to the trauma centre.
According to doctors, the fact that injured persons can now be airlifted and taken to super-speciality hospitals is the key reason why he could be saved.

“The jawan was given 74 units of blood during his stay here,” said Dr Misra.

He stayed in the centre for six weeks, of which four were spent in the intensive care unit.
Dr Misra said the centre does not receive many such cases.

“Most cases can be managed locally. For others, there is no point because it is clear that there is no chance of survival,” he said.

He added that this case seemed a probable case of survival.

“This is an important case because survival rates were really low. Since the days of militancy in Punjab, AK-47s are used.

“I have not seen many jawans surviving after being fired from such a close range,” added Dr Misra.