A TEENAGE boy was brutally stabbed in Glasgow moments after he reportedly left a mosque in the city.
A 13-year-old was found with stab wounds after being attacked near Queens Park in the city's southside on Friday night.
Friends of the boy's family say he was found in a "pool of blood" before 999 crews rushed to his aid, the Daily Record reports.
A family friend said: "This 13-year-old Pakistani boy was mercilessly stabbed with a knife on Friday evening. He had just came out from the mosque and was wearing a Jubba.
"The boy is severely wounded and suffered cuts on his back and all over his body as he ran to save his life. One deep cut went to his lung. He was seen drenched in blood by a family who called for police and ambulance.
"The boy is in hospital where he will undergo multiple surgeries. He is in severe pain and shock.
"Police are trying to trace whoever did this through CCTV around Queens Park."
Another family friend, Amna Ahmad, also told the paper: "This is insane and cruel. He was stabbed, the cuts went all the way into his lung.
"He is fighting for his life. He has had some surgery and is waiting for more."
Glasgow Central Mosque also said they believed that the boy had left a local place of worship before the shocking attack, but confirmed that he was not a student at their prayer halls.
Later on Tuesday, police said a 17-year-old man had been arrested and charged.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, whose constituency is Glasgow Southside, has also expressed her concern following the "deeply distressing" incident.
She said: "First and foremost, my thoughts are with the young boy concerned. I wish him a full and speedy recovery. I have been assured by the police that inquiries into this deeply distressing incident are ongoing in order that the circumstances of what happened can be established.
“I am also very aware of the anxiety the incident is causing in the local community and have been advised that the police have taken steps to increase hi-visibility patrols in the area.
“I would urge anyone who has any relevant information about this incident to contact the police as a matter of urgency. Anyone seeking information or reassurance on community issues can also contact my constituency office.”
Detective Sergeant Stephen Palmer said: "We have a team of officers working on this investigation and extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened.
"Officers are gathering CCTV footage from the surrounding area and door-to-door inquiries are also being carried out.
"We will have a continued police presence in the area and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers.
"I would like to reassure the community that officers are working to trace whoever is responsible.
"We believe the area was busy at the time and I am keen to speak to anyone with any private CCTV, dashcam, doorbell, or any other footage that they think would assist the enquiry.
"If you were in the area, and can help with our investigation or saw what happened, then please get in touch.”
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3574 of Friday, March 8, 2024, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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