New Delhi: In a shocking incident, bike-borne assailants hacked gateman Kundan Pathak's hands till he collapsed because he refused to open a level crossing gate in north Delhi's Narela area. The gateman refused only because a train was approaching.

Pathak, 28, whose hands were severed in the assault late Sunday, has been admitted to a hospital in Rohini, railway officials said. He also received serious injuries to his legs and neck. The incident occurred when Pathak was manning gate number 19 between Narela and Rathdhana Sunday night when three men on a bike demanded that the level crossing gate be opened. He refused as the 18101 Muri Exp was approaching, officials said.