NEW DELHI: The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, was attacked on Sunday by a man who tried to set him on fire during evening prayers, police and witnesses said.

The man was immediately nabbed by security officers and later handed over to police custody.

“The incident took place when the Imam was leading the evening prayer. A man suddenly threw a plastic bottle which had kerosene at him from behind. The attacker was caught by Imam’s PSOs. He has been taken to the nearby police station,” The Hindu quoted the Imam’s official spokesperson as saying.

The attacker, identified as Kamaluddin, is reported to be a resident of West Bengal.

The Additional Commissioner of Police (Central) Alok Kumar said that the man is being questioned by authorities.

No further details were provided by officials as to the motive behind the attack.