Hyderabad, May 2 (IANS) Five accused of involvment in Saturday’s attack on Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi surrendered to Hyderabad police Monday.
The accused gave themselves up before the officials of the Central Crime Station (CCS), a wing of the city police probing the assassination attempt on the young leader.
According to police, Mohammed Bin Saleh Wahlan, who allegedly opened fire on the legislator, surrendered along with Esa Yafai, Yahya Yafai, Fazal Yafai and Faisal Yafai.
Police have already arrested six accused in the case.
One attacker, Ibrahim Bin Yousuf Yafai, was gunned down by the security guard of another MIM legislator, Ahmed Bala, who had come to the rescue of Owaisi. Two other attackers, Abdullah Bin Younus Yafai and Awad Bin Younus Yafai, who sustained injuries during the clash, are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Police had already picked up Hassan Bin Omer Yafai, who allegedly shot Owaisi. All the accused are close relatives of Mohammed Pahelwan, suspected to be the mastermind behind the attack.
Pahelwan and his family had a long running dispute with Owaisi over a piece of a land. This led to the attack. Pahelwan has already been arrested by the police.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters Monday that 10 to 11 people participated in the attack, which according to him appeared to be pre-planned.
He said the CCS, detective department and the Task Force had made progress in the case. ‘We hope to arrest all the accused by today evening or tomorrow,’ he said.
Khan said the weapons used in the attack have been identified.
He said the police would focus on the land disputes in the city and take steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Owaisi, who was stabbed and shot at, is undergoing treatment and according to doctors his condition continues to be stable but critical.
