JNU student leader Umar Khalid shot at near Parliament, escapes unhurt

Khalid was at the venue to attend an event titled 'Khauff Se Azaadi', organised by an organisation named 'United Against Hate'.

Image: Facebook

New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid was allegedly shot at by a man at the Constitution Club near Parliament in Delhi on Monday afternoon. However, the JNU activist managed to escape unhurt, the police said. He was attacked by an unidentified gunman before an event at Constitution Club where he was supposed to speak, according to report. The police that reached the spot, escorted Khalid out to a safer place.

Delhi: An unidentified man opened fire at JNU student Umar Khalid outside Constitution Club of India. He is safe. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/5JEJydD5TR

— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2018

According to an eyewitness, who identified himself as Khalid Shafi: "One man in white shirt pushed Khalid down on ground and fired on him while he was standing at a tea stall outside the Constitution Club. The shot missed him and the gunman fled from the spot leaving behind his pistol as people standing near Khalid rushed towards him."

Watch live: https://t.co/DklVA2kRqn pic.twitter.com/weEtd2rP7a — ABP News (@abpnewstv) August 13, 2018

Joint CP of Delhi Ajay Chaudhary said that Khalid is safe and the police is investigating the matter. "A man attacked from behind while Umar Khalid and his associates were having tea at a stall, Khalid fell down. He is safe. We are investigating further," he said.

Shocking and highly condemnable: a guy attacked Umar Khalid from behind and tried to shoot him in Delhi. This is the direct result of hatred whipped up by Republic TV & other hate media. I spoke to Umar. He's okay, but we should be very very worried about his safety.

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) August 13, 2018

DCP Madhur Verma said, "It is being verified. He said that he was attacked. Somebody pounced on Umar Khalid and pushed, thereafter he tried to fire at Khalid.But the person immediately couldn't fire. People started chasing him thereafter according to Khalid the attacker fired in the air."

#WATCH Delhi Police DCP Madhur Verma says 'It is being verified. Umar Khalid said that he was attacked. Somebody pounced on him and pushed, thereafter he tried to fire at Khalid.But couldn't. According to Khalid the attacker fired in the air and was chased by people' pic.twitter.com/vhQrknlokB

— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2018

Khalid was scheduled to speak at an event titled - 'Towards a Freedom Without Fear' organised by United Against Hate Initiative. Later Khalid said, "There is an atmosphere of fear in the country, and  anybody who speaks against the government is threatened." (With inputs from ANI)