Bullet missed Owaisi’s vital organs

The home minister, Ms P. Sabita Indra Reddy, told reporters that the bullets had missed Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi’s vital organs. She said that one of the attackers had died and two others were seriously injured when a gunman of Malakpet MLA, Mr Ahmed Balala, opened fire in retaliation.

Mr Balala was in the car behind Mr Owaisi’s when the incident occurred. The injured attackers have been admitted to Yashoda Hospital at Malakpet. A revolver and two knives were recovered from the spot.

The home minister added that the situation in Old City was peaceful. “The government has taken all possible steps to ensure law and order in the city.” On Saturday morning, Mr Owaisi had taken out a padayatra from Salala after inaugurating the construction of a boundary wall of the Salala graveyard at 9 am. The padayatra moved through Barkas Bazaar and Peelidargah areas and ended at around 10 am.

Mr Owaisi reached the residence of Barkas corporator, Mr Mansoor bin Mohammed Awalgi, and they were joined there for breakfast by Mr Balala after which they went to the party office at Barkas. The attack took place at around 11.20 am when they were boarding their cars. Around 10 men armed with revolvers, swords and sticks came on two wheelers and attacked indiscriminately. They fired at Mr Owaisi as he sat in the car after which he was knifed on the shoulder.

According to the police, the attackers were identified as Abdulla Yafai, Esa Yafai, Awad Yafai, Yaheya Yafai, Saif Yafai, Hasan Yafai, Haneef Yafai and Ibrahim Yafai. The commissioner of police, Mr A.K. Khan said, “The incident took place after they boarded the car. They might have used two fire arms. A .32 has been found at the scene of the crime and the other is yet to be traced. Two shots had been fired from the seized gun. Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi didn’t receive any injuries in his vital organs and his condition is stable."

As the men attacked, Mr Balala’s gunman, Mr Mohammed Jani, opened fire at the attackers. The police said that the timely action of the gunman saved Mr Balala’s life. Mr Owaisi was shot in the abdomen and also had deep wounds on his hands. Another MIM activist and owner of the Marhaba Hotel, Mr Mohd. Ghouse, also received minor injuries when he tried to stop the attackers. He was shifted to Osmania General Hospital.

One of the accused who was shot, Ibrahim Bin Ali Yousuf Yafai, 29, a resident of Balapur Road in Chad died at Yashoda Hospital at Malakpet. The other two injured, Awad Bin Yousuf Yafaia Yafai, 30, and Abdullah Bin Younus Yafai, 33. residents of Balapur Road are undergoing treatment at Yashoda at Malakpet. Their condition is critical.