Two gunmen on a motorcycle shot at a tourist bus on Sunday near the historic Jama Masjid in old Delhi area, injuring two Taiwanese nationals. The gunmen randomly opened fire near the mosque, hitting tourists who were in a bus parked nearby.
Eyewitnesses told the CNN-IBN news channel that the attackers wore helmets and raincoats and escaped on their motorcycle after firing seven rounds. A red alert has been sounded for the two suspects who are still absconding. The police have recovered .38 bore weapon and .99 mm ammunition.
The shooting raises concerns about security arrangements in New Delhi as the capital gears up to host the Commonwealth Games in two weeks. Seventyone teams from around the world are participating in the Games scheduled for October 3-14.
The two injured were taken to the nearby Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital in the same bus. Their condition was reported to be stable. One of them was injured when a bullet grazed his head, while another was hit in the abdomen and is being operated, LNJP Hospital Medical Superintendent Amit Banerjee told the Times of India newspaper.
The incident took place around 11 a.m. The gunmen escaped through the narrow lanes ringing the Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques and located opposite the Red Fort monument. The Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, described it as a terror attack aimed at keeping away foreigners from the Indian capital ahead of the Games.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit felt it was a "sad incident" but saw nothing to panic about. "I am in constant touch with the Police Commissioner. The police are investigating into the incident and culprits will be caught. Everything is under control."
The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee said the shooting incident would have no impact on the Games, and assured that India would provide foolproof security to the visiting athletes and officials. “The Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police have made elaborate arrangements to provide the Commonwealth Games athletes and officials a safe and secure environment,” the committee spokesman, Lalit Bhanot, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Indian Mujahideen terrorist group threatened to disrupt the Commonwealth Games shortly after the shooting incident. "On the one hand Muslim blood is flowing like water while on the other hand you are preparing for the festival of games," said the statement emailed to BBC Hindi service. "We warn you to host the Commonwealth Games.
"We know that preparations for the Games are at its peak; beware, we too are preparing in full swing for a great surprise. The participants will be solely responsible for the outcome (of our attacks) as our bands of mujahideen love death more than you love life," it said.
The Indian Mujahideen is a shadow outfit of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and is believed to have close ties with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba.
