Hyderabad: Cow protection force member Sonu Singh shot at in Medchal

Hyderabad: A member of a cow protection force was shot at by a suspected bovine smuggler in an apparent dispute over the transportation of cattle.

The incident occurred on Wednesday in Yamnampet, located under the Pocharam IT corridor in Medchal district.

According to police, Prashant Singh alias Sonu (25), is part of a group that works to prevent the illegal movement of cows to slaughterhouses. Singh had previously intercepted a container carrying cows, allegedly owned by Ibrahim, a resident of Bahadurpura, who is known for purchasing cattle from markets across various districts and transporting them to city slaughterhouses.

A week before the shooting, Singh had seized the container transporting Ibrahim's cows and handed it over to the police. Following this, Ibrahim reportedly reached out to Singh through mediator Srikanth, requesting a meeting to discuss the matter.

When Singh arrived at Yamnampet for the meeting on Wednesday, a confrontation ensued. At some point during the talks, Ibrahim reportedly pulled out a revolver. He fired three shots into the air and then aimed the fourth round directly at Singh. The bullet struck Singh in the lower chest. Singh managed to flee the scene, shouting for help as he ran onto the road.

Local residents who witnessed the incident immediately alerted the police. Singh was shifted to a private hospital in Secunderabad. Doctors later confirmed that his condition was stable.

In response to the shooting, police have launched a manhunt for Ibrahim, who fled the scene immediately after the attack. Special teams have been formed to track down the suspect. Rachakonda Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu visited the site of the incident.

The attack has garnered widespread attention, with several prominent political figures expressing concern. BJP State President Bandi Sanjay, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, and MP Etala Rajender all visited Singh at the hospital to offer their support.