London police treating Brar attack as attempted murder

The British police on Wednesday confirmed that they are treating the attack on Lt Gen (retd) K S Brar as an attempted murder and described the four attackers as of Asian appearance.

The spokesperson of the London Metropolitan police said that all the four persons who were involved in the attack on Sunday had long beards.

Police are also considering whether or not to issue photo sketches of the assailants who were described of being of Asian origin.

The spokesperson said the police is treating the attack as an attempted murder.

The spokesperson also denied that the police had ever commented on one of the attackers leaving behind a mobile phone at the crime scene as it was claimed earlier. He said the inquiry is continuing and the police has appealed to the public for any assistance.

Brar, who received injuries during the attack returned back to Mumbai along with his wife on Wednesday.

Brar, 78, has said that he is convinced it was an attempt to assassinate him by "pro-Khalistan elements" for his role in the 1984 "Operation Bluestar" that was aimed at flushing out Sikh militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale from the Golden Temple.

After the attack on Sunday night, Brar said he had informed local army authorities about his private visit to London, but the Indian high commission here said it was unaware of his visit.