Shots fired at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi vehicle in UP poll convoy; two arrested

According to police, four shots were fired at the vehicle. There was no injury to any person in the incident which took place around 5.30 pm at Chhajarsi toll plaza near Pilkhuwa in Hapur district.

Sachin Sharma, a resident of Badalpur in Gautam Buddh Nagar, was arrested from the spot and police said an unlicensed pistol had been recovered. A white Alto car too has been seized. Sharma’s alleged accomplice, identified as Shubham of Saharanpur, had fled from the spot but was arrested later.

Officials said Sharma, who was still being questioned, told police that he was angry with Owaisi over his speeches.

कुछ देर पहले छिजारसी टोल गेट पर मेरी गाड़ी पर गोलियाँ चलाई गयी। 4 राउंड फ़ायर हुए। 3-4 लोग थे, सब के सब भाग गए और हथियार वहीं छोड़ गए। मेरी गाड़ी पंक्चर हो गयी, लेकिन मैं दूसरी गाड़ी में बैठ कर वहाँ से निकल गया। हम सब महफ़ूज़ हैं। अलहमदु’लिलाह। pic.twitter.com/Q55qJbYRih

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 3, 2022

Sharma’s Facebook account shows him posing for photographs with BJP functionaries. He had even shared a video of Yati Narsinghanand, arrested recently for his hate speech in Haridwar. In one of his posts, Sharma had expressed solidarity with Ram Bhakt Gopal who opened fire at anti-CAA protesters in Delhi in 2020.

Prashant Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), said: “Police took swift action after it was informed that the MP’s convoy had been fired upon. Video footage of the area was scanned and suspects were taken into custody. The accused Sachin was identified and arrested. A pistol was also recovered. From the videos, it is clear that Sachin is involved in the incident.”

Owaisi uploaded a photograph of the vehicle on social media — two holes created by bullets were visible.

He told reporters: “We were on our way to Delhi from Kithore (Assembly constituency). When we reached the Pilkhuwa toll gate… we were in four vehicles… we slowed down near the toll (plaza) since there are barricades there… there was a loud sound. Then there was another sound. My friend who was driving the car said we were being attacked. He raced the car ahead… It was quick thinking… then there was another sound.”

“So, I think three-four rounds were fired. There are two holes on the left side of the car and one mark on the left mud guard…a tyre got punctured. There is a flyover ahead. We stopped the car there and I shifted to another vehicle. I think they were following us,” he said.

“A Fortuner vehicle was behind my car in which our ex-mayor Majid was travelling… the driver of that car rammed it into one of the shooters. He was wearing a red hoodie… and he fell down. A person who was wearing a white jacket then fired at the Fortuner.”

“I have spoken to the Additional SP. He said the arms which were used have been found… and a shooter has been caught. I would like to request the Election Commission to order an independent probe into this incident. Who are these people, who was behind this and why this attack took place… and who hatched the conspiracy… all these things should come to light. It is very important,” he said.

“Parliament session is on. I will meet the Speaker and tell him what happened. I am writing to the Election Commission as well,” Owaisi said.

He had said his party would contest 100 of the 403 seats at stake in UP.