‘Female assailant had visited area before,’ chose day for attack when Shini was at home

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police said the reason for the air gun attack towards the officer of National Health Mission may be personal enmity with Shini or her family. The accused chose the day for the attack knowing that Shini would be at home on Sunday. The police suspect that the female assailant who attacked Shini had come to the area earlier to understand about Shini's house and surroundings. Efforts are progressing to find the accused by searching in various teams.

The visuals of the car in which the woman travelled yesterday were out. After shooting Shini, she got into a car and escaped and proceeded towards Attingal area. She was traveling with a fake number plate. The assailant's car had the number of a car sold by a native of Parandode to a Kozhikode native a few months ago. The investigation is progressing on the basis of the CCTV footage and the statement given by the family members.

V S Shini (40) of Pankaj House in Chempakassery near West Fort was shot Sunday morning at 8.30 am. She was admitted to a private hospital with an injury on her right hand. A surgery was performed to remove the pellet. Her health condition is satisfactory. Shini is the PRO of the National Health Mission.

Shini's father-in-law Bhaskaran Nair opened the door when the woman, who covered her head and face, rang the calling bell. The woman asked to call Shini as it was a registered letter. As Shini reached the doorstep of the house, the female assailant gave a paper to be signed on top of the envelope. As Shini was about to sign, she took an air pistol from the pocket of her jeans. When she tried to stop it, she was shot in the right arm. Blood was oozing from her hand and she was immediately taken to a hospital. Before fleeing in the car parked outside the house, she fired two additional shots into the ground.

Though the neighbors rushed to the spot, could not find anyone. A native of Thrissur, Shini lives with her husband's family in Thiruvananthapuram. Her husband Sujith is working in Maldives. Shini’s two children and her in-laws were at home at the time of the incident. A police team headed by City Police Commissioner Sparjan Kumar came and searched the area. The Vanchiyoor police is investigating the case.