The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command has taken the lead on a shocking investigation after a man was brutally shot in the knee in what is being treated as a terrorist-linked 'kneecapping' in North London.
Detectives are urgently working to establish if the assailants have connections to the proscribed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The attack, which bears the hallmarks of a punishment shooting, occurred on a residential street, sending waves of alarm through the local community.
A Targeted and Brutal Assault
The victim, whose identity remains protected, was approached by at least two individuals. In a swift and violent act, he was shot at close range in the leg before the suspects fled the scene. The specific targeting of the knee is a signature tactic often used by paramilitary and terrorist organisations to maim and intimidate.
Emergency services rushed to the location following reports of a shooting. The victim was transported to a major trauma centre; his injuries, while severe, are not believed to be life-threatening.
Counter-Terrorism Probe Launched
The severity and nature of the attack prompted Scotland Yard to immediately hand over the case to its specialist SO15 Counter Terrorism Command. This move indicates a high level of suspicion that the motive was ideological rather than purely criminal.
A spokesperson for the Met Police stated: "The investigation is being led by the Counter Terrorism Command due to intelligence and specific evidence gathered at an early stage which suggests a potential link to organised terror activity."
Hezbollah: A Proscribed Terror Organisation
Hezbollah's military wing has been a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK since 2001, with the entire group being banned in 2019. The organisation is known for its extensive global network and history of orchestrated violence outside of Lebanon.
While the investigation is in its early stages, the potential involvement of a group with such a notorious reputation has significantly raised the stakes of the manhunt. Police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of those responsible.
