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A near-fatal sword attack in the dead of night has sent shockwaves through the Juhu Gully area, as a 16-year-old girl narrowly escaped death at the hands of a local goon thanks to quick action by her mother.

The DN Nagar police have arrested the accused Zameer Ibrahim Shaikh, alias Jambu Vastra, 27, a repeat offender having more than 24 cases registered against him.

According to police sources, the horror unfolded around 1 am on Thursday, when the teen and her mother were returning home after fetching water. Suddenly, Shaikh emerged from the darkness, brandishing a large sword, and charged menacingly toward them. In a brave move, the girl took her mother’s phone to record Shaikh’s intimidating behaviour, a decision that nearly cost her life. Infuriated at being filmed, Shaikh allegedly lunged at the girl and swung the sword at her head. However, her mother yanked her away in the nick of time.

According to eyewitnesses, the enraged Shaikh didn’t stop there. He unleashed a volley of abuse, threatening to kill the teen’s father, blaming him for tipping off the police in an earlier incident. Locals who rushed to help were driven back by Shaikh as he brandished the sword and threatened anyone who came close. Only when a larger crowd began to gather did he flee, still brandishing the weapon and issuing threats. The terrified girl later told police: “I got scared, took the mobile phone from my mother, and was preparing to record him when he suddenly charged and attacked me with a sword. My mother pulled me aside and saved my life. He kept abusing us and threatened to kill my father.”

According to police sources, Shaikh was caught roaming the same area with a chopper on June 5. The girl’s stepfather had alerted the police, leading to Shaikh’s arrest under the Arms Act. Shockingly, he was released on bail the same day. It is believed that the attack was a calculated act of revenge. “He came back to settle scores. His intent was clear,” said an officer.