Mumbai: Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu condemned the attack on Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly and YSR Congress party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Visakhapatnam airport today in strong terms. The minister directed all agencies responsible for security to probe the incident with thoroughness and urgency.

It may be recalled that YS Jagan was attacked by a waiter in the premium lounge of Visakhapatnam airport while he was sitting there to board a flight. The attacker later identified as Janipalli Srinivasa Rao had been working for a year at the airport canteen run by Harshavardhan, a TDP ticket aspirant for the Gajuwaka constituency. The YSRCP chief sustained a deep injury on his left shoulder as a result of the attack and had a providential escape as he turn away from the attack in the last second. The waiter, Srinivasa Rao has been taken into police custody.

The union minister described the attack as "cowardly"and said the guilty would be punished. In a post on Twitter, Prabhu tweeted Shocked by attack on Mr Jagan Reddy, Asked all agencies to investigate matter thoroughly,including @CISFHQrs. Asked secretary civil aviation to fix responsibility," "I strongly condemn this cowardly attack, we will punish the guilty. Investigations are underway, started immediately,"

Shocked by attack on Mr Jagan Reddy,Asked all agencies to investigate matter thoroughly,including @CISFHQrs .Asked secretary civil aviation to fix responsibility.I strongly condemn this cowardly attack,we will punish the guilty.Investigations are underway, started immediately
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) October 25, 2018

MoCA severely condemns the attack on Shri @ysjagan at @aaivspairport today. The unfortunate attack by an authorised employee of a licensed airport restaurant took place before the security hold area of Vizag Airport, and the same will be investigated expeditiously.
— Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI) October 25, 2018