New Delhi, Sept 19: Raising security concerns ahead of the Commonwealth Games, two men on a motorcycle fired several rounds on a tourist vehicle near the historic Jama Masjid in the walled city, injuring two Taiwanese nationals.
A red alert has been sounded across the capital after the incident in which the two bikers are said to have fired 7-8 rounds on the stationary vehicle adjacent to Gate No 3 of the mosque and 100 metres away from the house of Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari at around 11.10 am.
The two injured -- Cesewein (27) and Cinglo (28) -- were rushed to the nearby government Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital, a senior police official said.
Cesewein (27) had a miraculous escape as the bullet grazed his head while Cinglo (28) was hit in right abdomen.
"There is an entry wound for Cinglo but there is no exit wound while there was a wound in the head of Cesewein but radiological investigation did not find any bullet on the scalp," LNJP Hospital medical superintendent Amit Banerjee said.
The injured were part of a five-member group from Taiwan which was in the capital since Saturday. They were to leave for Jaipur on Tuesday and then visit Agra and return to the capital on September 27 to take a flight back to Taiwan.
Karnal Singh, joint commissioner (Northern Range), told reporters that the four cartridges recovered from the spot showed that the weapon used could be .38 calibre revolver.
But the rounds of fire recovered were also of 9 mm, which can be used in pistol or carbine, he said refusing to hazard a guess on the motive of the attackers.
"We are looking into all angles and we cannot jump to conclusions. It appears to be done to create panic," he said.
"A red alert has been sounded and we are conducting checks at various points. We are confident of nabbing the culprits soon," he said.
Constable Pramod, who was manning the Gate No 3, tried to give a chase to the attackers but they fled on their motorcycle. A rickshaw puller also tried to give a chase and he even threw a brick at them in a bid to foil their escape.
The mini-bus also had one of its windows broken and a bullet pierced into its chassis.
"I saw the motorcyclists firing at the foreigners. I was ferrying passengers. I got out of the rickshaw and threw a brick at them and even tried to chase them. But they fled," said Salim, the rickshawpuller.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the incident is sad and worrying but said there was nothing to panic.
"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," she said.