HYDERABAD, May 3 (TOI): Akbaruddin Owaisi, the MIM floor leader in the assembly who was shot at and attacked with knives at Barkas on Saturday, showed visible signs of improving health on Monday. He could be taken off the ventilator and dialysis support in the next 24 hours, indicated doctors.

The health bulletin that was released by Care Hospital in the evening said that the MIM leader was conscious with stable vitals.

According to Shahed Ali Khan, a senior general surgeon monitoring Akbaruddin's condition, the legislator has successfully passed through three crucial phases after two surgeries and he would be out of stage four successfully soon. His kidney, colon and other organs that were damaged by a bullet have been repaired and are functioning reasonably well. "I firmly believe that he should be spared of visitors so as to avoid any possible infections,' he added.

Meanwhile, five persons who were allegedly involved in the attack on Akbaruddin surrendered before the city police commissioner's South Zone Task Force on Monday afternoon. The number of accused in police custody is now seven. Mohammed Pahelwan, the alleged brain behind the attack, and his younger brother Hasan Pahelwan were picked up on the day of attack.

Those who were detained on Monday include Mohammed Bin Salem Wahlan, Isa Al-Yafayee, Yahya Al-Yafayee, Fazal Bin Mohammed and Faisal Al-Yafayee. All of them are relatives of Pahelwan.

The FIR of the attack case shows Mohammed Bin Salem Wahlan as the accused No.1 who fired at Akbaruddin with a revolver while it has remained strangely silent on the status of Pahelwan.