A BAHRAINI whose car was ambushed by a group of arsonists yesterday spoke about the moment he thought he would never see his family again.

Jaffar Makki, 31, is still being treated at Salmaniya Medical Complex after sustaining burns to his back and neck during last Thursday's attack.

He was on his way home to Karranah after buying dinner for his family when more than 20 youngsters threw Molotov cocktails at his car.

It happened at around 9.30pm when the Habib Awachi Company driver was forced to stop his car when burning tyres blocked Budaiya Road near Country Mall roundabout.

"When they attacked my car I was a little scared, so I immediately got out and started running," Mr Makki told the GDN.

"Then I was exhausted and fell on the ground.

"It was so dark and my body was going numb, I didn't feel anything.

"I don't remember anything else after that, except that I woke up in hospital."

Mr Makki said at one stage he believed he was going to die.

"I don't know who these people were or why they attacked me, but I can't forget the moment when I was attacked," he said.

"I can't forget the pain I have gone through and the scene keeps replaying in my mind. I thank God for saving my life and that none of my family members were with me at the time."

But despite the attack, Mr Makki said that he would not avoid the area or be forced into changing his normal routine. I was a little afraid when the men attacked me, but I definitely won't give up going to these areas," he said.

"I just fear God and no one else, whether they burn me or my car, I really don't care.

"But I was afraid at the time of the attack because I was thinking of my family."

Mr Makki, who is unmarried and has five brothers and two sisters, is demanding police find those responsible so they can be punished.

The Interior Ministry, Civil Defence officials and area MP Makki Hilal yesterday declined to comment. aneeqa@gdn.com.bh