RAWALPINDI: Leading film star Mohammad Ali had a narrow escape after unknown assailants riddled his car with automatic gunfire near here this morning [Nov 5]. Ali, however, suffered two bullet wounds in his right leg. His driver and a friend Tariq were admitted to hospital with bullet injuries in their legs. … Narrating the incident to newsmen later at his hotel room, Mohammad Ali said that he was driving his Cadillac to Sihala, with Tariq sitting beside him, for the location shooting of “Gumrah”. As they crossed the Sohan bridge at about 8-20 a.m. a jeep passed parallel to his car. A hail of bullets burst from the fully-covered jeep hitting Tariq directly. Bullets rebounding from him hit Mohammad Ali. …

Mohammad Ali said today’s attack was the third attempt on his life. His wife and leading film star Zeba is staying with him in the Intercontinental Hotel. She sat shocked and pale through the Press conference. Asked who could be behind the attack, and with what motives, the popular star said that “I have no personal enmity or political enmity against anybody. There might be professional rivalry”. Mohammad Ali said he has telegraphically informed Prime Minister Bhutto … about today’s attack.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2024