ASIAN leaders are appealing to all sections of the community to pull together to catch the gun-wielding attackers who shot three brothers.

The call comes as one of the brothers, 15-year-old Jhanghir Khan, fights for his life after suffering a gunshot wound to his head during the shooting outside his home in Kitchener Road, High Wycombe, before 6am on Wednesday.

His two brothers Shoukat and Azad Khan, both 21, suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and neck after chasing the attackers, who escaped after speeding off in a car.

Mayor of High Wycombe, Mahboob Hussain, said the incident has sent shock waves through the Asian community.

He added: "It is a peaceful community, we cannot have people running around shooting guns. I would ask people from every community to help the police find these attackers and bring them to justice."

The brothers' father, Mushtaq Khan, drove his children to Wycombe Hospital but his school-age son was so badly wounded that he was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

A shocked neighbour told the Free Press she saw the boy's father "cradling his son and just crying".

She added: "I saw two youths running down the road towards him with big curved swords in their hands. They just threw the youngster in the back of the car. He was like a rag doll."

Abdul Sallam, a teacher at William Ramsay School which the teenager attends, who also lives in the road, said it was a very sad incident and added that Jhanghir is a nice boy and "very likeable".

Ranjit Dheer, director of Wycombe Race Equality Council, said people had been calling in and expressing their sadness at what has happened.

He added: "We are very sad this has happened in the Asian community and would say that if people do have their differences to sort them out peacefully as this has had a devastating effect."

Detective Superintendent Trevor Davies, leading the case, told a press conference on Wednesday: "Unfortunately the condition of the 15-year-old boy at John Radcliffe doesn't look good. He is being treated and is responding to treatment but we are very concerned for his welfare."

Police do not believe that the shooting is connected to the death of Junior Anthony Brown or a result of Asian-gang warfare. A long curved sword was found at the scene but police are unsure whether this was used in the attack.

Anyone with information should call High Wycombe CID on (01494) 465888 or

crimestoppers on 0800 555 111