Pair arrested in anti-terrorist raid dispute shooting claims

• Police claim suspect was shot by his own brother, not by a police officer

• Abdul Kahar's lawyer dismisses the claim as "nonsense"

• No bomb or chemicals found in home or workplace of both suspects

Key quote:

"My client accepts he may have shouted, but he says he did not struggle and did not cause his brother to be shot." Julian Young, solicitor for Abdul Koyair.

A LAWYER for one of two brothers arrested during an anti-terrorist operation yesterday disputed claims that police officers were not responsible for a firearm being discharged.

Whitehall sources reportedly claimed yesterday that Mohammed Abdul Kahar was wounded when his brother Abdul Koyair made a grab for a police firearm.

It was suggested that the gun went off and a bullet hit Kahar in the shoulder.

But Julian Young, Koyair's solicitor, yesterday disputed the claims, denying any wrongdoing by his client. "My client accepts he may have shouted, but he says he did not struggle and did not cause his brother to be shot."

Kate Roxburgh, Kahar's lawyer, also rebutted claims that he had been shot by his brother: "It is absolute nonsense. His brother was apparently standing a couple of stairs behind him. He was shot through the chest from the front. It is absolute nonsense.

Kahar was yesterday transferred from the Royal London Hospital to Paddington Green high security police station, where it is understood officers were waiting to question him. Koyair was already in custody there. Police have permission to hold them until Wednesday.

Police are continuing their search of their home in the Forest Gate area of London, apparently looking for evidence of a chemical device which they suspect was intended to be used in a terrorist attack in the UK.

Security sources have distanced themselves from suggestions that an attack may have been scheduled to mark the anniversary of last year's 7 July bombings.

By last night no chemical weapon had been found at the house or at the men's workplaces, and some of those involved with the operation privately admit that they may not find what they are looking for.

One theory is that an attack was planned involving a combination of explosives and a chemical, possibly cyanide. Security sources say the possibility that help in constructing such devices might have come from an experienced bomb maker is being considered.

The shooting of Kahar is already stirring up the sort of resentment in the local community witnessed after the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes by police at Stockwell Tube station last year.

Yesterday, a family detained by police during the raid said it was considering legal action. In a statement, the family, who lived in the terrace adjoining the brothers' house, said it "would like to make it clear that we are completely innocent and in no way involved in any terrorist activity".

The family said police had questioned them for 12 hours before releasing them without charge. They had been physically assaulted and one had received serious head injuries that required hospital treatment, the statement said.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into the shooting.