Mumbai Police has released a photo of the intruder who attacked Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence. The image shows a young boy wearing a T-shirt and carrying a backpack, fleeing down the stairs after the incident.
Earlier, Mumbai Police confirmed that the intruder had entered the building through the fire escape stairs at the location where Saif resides.
In a shocking attack that raises serious concerns about security, motive, and the vulnerability of celebrities, Saif Ali Khan, 54, was repeatedly stabbed with a knife inside his 12th-floor apartment in the upscale Satguru Sharan building in Bandra early Thursday.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. and prompted an immediate medical response.
After the attack, Saif was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where doctors confirmed that he was "out of danger" following an emergency surgery. His son, Ibrahim, quickly took him to the hospital at around 3 a.m. in an auto, while his wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and sister-in-law, Karisma Kapoor, arrived shortly after.
The Mumbai Police crime branch has set up seven teams to investigate and apprehend the attacker. Saif's domestic help, who first raised the alarm, suffered a minor injury to her hand during the altercation and later filed a police complaint.
According to the initial investigation, the intruder did not force his way into the apartment but likely entered unnoticed at some point during the night. Saif was treated by a team of doctors, including neurosurgeon Dr. Nitin Dange, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Leena Jain, and anesthesiologist Dr. Nisha Gandhi.
Dr. Niraj Uttamani, the hospital's chief operating officer, reported that Saif sustained six injuries. Two of the wounds were minor, two intermediate, and two deep, with one injury near his spine.
ALSO READ: Saif Ali Khan attack: 2.5-inch knife removed, spinal fuid repaired, say Doctor
Dr. Dange explained that Saif suffered a major injury to his thoracic spine, which required surgery to remove the knife and repair leaking spinal fluid. Additionally, two deep wounds on his left hand and right side of his neck were treated by the plastic surgery team.
Saif Ali Khan is now stable and in recovery. According to Dr. Uttamani, the actor has been moved to the ICU and is expected to be transferred to a regular ward in a day or two.
The actor's representatives described the attack as an "attempted burglary." DCP Dixit Gedam of Mumbai Police also confirmed that the attack appears to have been a robbery attempt.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Bandra police station under sections 311 (robbery with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 331(4) (house break-in or trespassing at night), and other relevant provisions. At the time of the incident, Saif's wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and other family members were present in the house.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while addressing the incident, emphasized that Mumbai remains the safest city despite isolated incidents.
ALSO READ: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis asserts Mumbai's safety, says 'one or two incidents don't define the city'