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Updated: Jun 02, 2017 00:22 IST

The vice-president of BJP’s Bareilly region minority wing was shot at by unidentified persons on Thursday evening.

Raees Ahmed, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, was shot thrice and is admitted to a private hospital, said police. His condition is stated to be critical, police added.

“Raees Ahmed was shot around 7pm. He was apparently returning home on a motorcycle when the attack took place,” said superintendent of police (rural) Khyati Garg. “We don’t know much about the attackers or possible motive yet.”

The attackers targeted Ahmed in Deochara area. Bhamora police station personnel rescued Ahmed and took him to the hospital.

Police at the spot where the BJP leader was attacked in Bareilly on Thursday. ( HT Photo )

This is the first such attack on a politician in the district since Yogi Adityanath took over as chief minister in March.

BJP MLA of Bareilly (city) Arun Kumar condemned the attack. “We will demand that the district administration investigate the matter and arrest the attackers.”

The Samajwadi Party (SP) slammed the ruling BJP following the attack. “The attack on Raees Ahmed proves BJP has failed completely to curb violence in Uttar Pradesh,” said Subhlesh Yadav, district president of SP.