Sheikh Rashid - File Photo

Rawalpindi: In an apparent attempt on his life, the Chairman of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid survived an armed attack but sustained injuries when some unknown armed persons opened fire at his vehicle which also claimed lives of his four men while three others also wounded in the attack on Monday.

According to Javed Qureshi, the secretary to Sheikh Rashid, the chief of the AML received injuries on his foot when some unknown gunmen attacked his vehicle at the time when Mr. Rashid was leaving his election office in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed in Rawalpindi. However, he was unaware either the injuries were of gunshot. Sheikh Rasheed, who is contesting the by-polls at NA-55 scheduled to be held later this month, was visiting one of his election offices in the city.
   
He was rushed to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for medical treatment via 1122 ambulance. The Doctors at the DHQ Hospital said that no bullet shot had stroke the chief of the AML while he received some wounds after falling in a drain after the fire opened. They said that his condition was out of danger. Mr. Qureshi said that Sheikh Rashid was coming out of his office when he was attacked by unknown assailants carrying Kalashnikovs.
   
"He was returning after visiting the office when unidentified gunmen from front side opened indiscriminate firing with Kalashnikovs," Javed told the media. "Four people, including Rasheed's bodyguards and workers, who were escorting him out were shot dead while he fell down on the floor."  Eyewitnesses said that four party's workers of Sheikh Rashid were killed in the attack when some unknown armed persons opened fire at him from motor bike. However, the chief of AML escaped in the attempt on his life and received some injuries in his foot and is being treated in DHQ Hospital.
   
Markets were shut in the area while hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital and at the incident site one of Rasheed's strongholds in the city - and chanted slogans against the provincial government and the candidates contesting election against him. The workers of AML demanded immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the attack. Heavy contingents of police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. The road was blocked for all kinds of traffic while police is attempting to diffuse the tension and disperse the protesters.