Attack on Saif: Give space to cope and heal, says wife Kareena Kapoor

Mumbai: Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan on Thursday requested the media to give them space to heal as a family as they deal with the attack on her husband Saif Ali Khan by an intruder at their Bandra home.

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan was repeatedly stabbed by an intruder in his highrise apartment in upscale Bandra early Thursday and rushed to hospital with the blade still lodged in his spine, an audacious attack that raises intriguing questions about security and celebrity life in the financial and showbiz hub.

The 54-year-old, who received six stab injuries, including in his neck, was out of danger following an emergency surgery at the Lilavati Hospital where he was taken after the attack outside his younger son Jeh's room around 2.30 am.

Kareena expresses gratitude to friends and well-wishers

In a statement on her Instagram account, Kareena said the family was still trying to process the challenging day. She expressed gratitude to their well-wishers and fans for their love and concern and requested the media and paparazzi to refrain from their "relentless speculation" over the incident.

"It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family, and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded. As we navigate this difficult time, I respectfully and humbly request that the media and paparazzi refrain from the relentless speculation and coverage,” she wrote on the social media platform.

"While we appreciate the concern and support, the constant scrutiny and attention are not only overwhelming but also pose a significant risk to our safety. I kindly request that you respect our boundaries and give us the space we need to heal and cope as a family," Kareena added.

Saif Ali Khan recovering

At least 10 police teams were formed to untangle the sensational crime targeting the "Dil Chahta Hai" actor and his family. As police questioned guards and house helps and concern mounted, doctors said Saif Ali Khan was on a "100 per cent recovery path".

It was a narrow, miraculous escape. A 2.5-inch piece of the blade was removed from his spine, doctors at the Lilavati Hospital said. "He sustained six injuries, two are minor, two intermediate and two deep injuries. One of the injuries is on the back which is close to the spine," the hospital's chief operating officer Dr Niraj Uttamani told PTI.

Khan has been shifted to the ICU and could be moved out to a room in a day or two, he said.

CCTV footage

Police are examining the CCTV footage of the building showing the intruder, who was armed with a wooden stick and a long Hexa blade, fleeing after the attack which took during a "burglary attempt" in the apartment housed in `Satguru Sharan' building, they said. The footage, captured at 2.33 am, clearly showed the young suspect's face. He is seen wearing a brown collared T-shirt and red scarf or `gamcha' while descending the stairs on the sixth floor of the building. The 54-year-old actor lives on the 12th floor.

Domestic help and staff nurse injured

Besides Khan, a 56-year-old staff nurse at the house, Eliyama Philip, who is the complainant, and a domestic help suffered blade injuries in the incident, said an official.

Based on details gathered from the footage and other clues, police have launched a search for the attacker. Investigators believe the intruder may have changed his clothes before fleeing the spot, he said. Police have recorded statements of nurse Philip, house helps, the guard of the building and questioning some persons, the official informed.

"Police have formed 20 teams and launched a search for the accused," he said, adding they are trying to find out if he has previous criminal record. Probe teams are also taking the help of informers and relying on technical support to nab the attacker, another official said.