Asaduddin Owaisi, the head of AIMIM, has been granted Z category protection by the MHA.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM chairman Asaduddin Owaisi Z category security of the Central Reserve Police Force, a day after shots were fired at his vehicle in western Uttar Pradesh (CRPF). Apart from security at his home, Owaisi's security detail would include six to eight armed commandos when he travels.

"Following the attack on his convoy and an assessment from the Intelligence Bureau that he faces a life danger, the government has decided to grant him the second highest level of security protection." A directive in this regard will be sent to the CRPF soon, according to a top government official.

Shots were fired at a vehicle Owaisi was travelling in while returning to Delhi from Meerut on Thursday, narrowly missing him. His party is contesting 100 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. Two people were later detained in connection with the event, and the weapons used in the attack were also recovered.

Owaisi has been a vocal critic of the administration, alleging that it is engaged in anti-minority practises.

In September of last year, a gang of Hindu Sena members vandalised Owaisi's official apartment in New Delhi's high-security Ashoka Road area, damaging the door and windows, breaking the nameplate, hurling an axe at the house, and calling the Parliamentarian a "jihadi." The Delhi police detained five people at the time. 

The incident on Thursday, according to Owaisi, punctured a tyre, forcing him to transfer vehicles. He further stated that he would meet with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and write to the Election Commission of India.

Four rounds were fired at the vehicle, according to authorities. The incident, which occurred around 5.30 p.m. at Chhajarsi toll plaza near Pilkhuwa in Hapur district, resulted in no injuries. 

Sachin Sharma, a resident of Badalpur in Gautam Buddh Nagar, was apprehended on the spot, and an unlicensed firearm was discovered, according to police.

A white Alto vehicle has also been confiscated. Sharma's suspected accomplice, Shubham of Saharanpur, had fled the scene but was later apprehended. 

Sharma, who was still being interrogated, informed police that he was unhappy with Owaisi because of his speeches, according to officials.

Sharma's Facebook account, according to Sources, shows him posing for photos with BJP officials. He even posted a video of Yati Narsinghanand, who was recently detained in Haridwar for his hate speech. Sharma showed camaraderie with Ram Bhakt Gopal, who opened fire on anti-CAA demonstrators in Delhi in 2020, in one of his articles.

"Police took immediate action once it was notified that the MP's convoy had been fired upon," Prashant Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), said on Thursday. Suspects were apprehended after video footage of the area was reviewed. Sachin, the accused, was identified and apprehended. In addition, a pistol was discovered. Sachin is clearly involved in the incident based on the videos." 

On Thursday, Owaisi shared a photo of the vehicle on social media, which revealed two gunshot holes.

Asaduddin Owaisi’s tweet about the attack

"We were on our way to Delhi from Kithore," he informed reporters (Assembly constituency). We were in four automobiles when we arrived at the Pilkhuwa toll gate... Because there were barricades near the toll (plaza), we slowed down... there was a loud sound. Then there was a different noise. My car's driver informed me that we were being attacked. He pushed the automobile ahead of him... It was a split second of thought... then there was another sound." 

"I believe three to four bullets were fired." On the left side of the car, there are two holes and one mark, and one mark on the left mud guard... A tyre had been punctured. A flyover is coming up ahead. We came to a halt there, and I switched to a different vehicle. I believe they were watching us.

"A Fortuner vehicle was following my car, which was carrying our ex-mayor Majid... the driver of that car slammed into one of the shooters." He was dressed in a red hoodie when he collapsed. The Fortuner was then shot by someone wearing a white jacket, according to the AIMIM chief.

Also read : Breaking News: Shots fired at AIMIM chief's car