The condition of the Kheriwal brothers, who were shot at in what cops suspect was a robbery attempt at their jewellery shop in the heart of the capital on Monday, improved on Tuesday even as police raids for the culprits drew blank.

Rohit, 40, and Rahul Kheriwal, 35, are at the ground floor of trauma centre of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for recovery after surgery.

Their father, Banwari Kheriwal, who was present at the time of the brazen daylight attack, was a relieved man.

“My sons held my hand and asked me whether I am safe. I could understand the words they uttered from the their mouths covered with oxygen masks when I went to see them after taking the permission of the doctors,” said Banwari, who was accompanied by his elder son's father-in-law from Odisha.

The father sat silently for a long while in a chair on the veranda of the trauma centre. Other family members huddled around, praying for the speedy recovery of both brothers. Well-wishers kept visiting and comforting the family members.

“Both the brothers are stable now. Their ventilator support has been removed. Their kidney and intestine have been repaired,” said RIMS superintendent Dr Vivek Kashyap.

Asked if the brothers were completely out of danger, he said: “After surgery there is always a fear of infection. We are careful about that.”

Police said they were pulling out all stops to ensure the culprits, who were caught on CCTV camera, are nabbed.

“Several teams have been constituted and have been asked to probe different angles,” said A.V. Homkar, deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), South Chhotanagpur. “One team has also been sent outside the state after we get some leads. Work progress of all the teams is being regularly monitored. I expect an early breakthrough in the case.”

The attack had sent shockwaves through the capital min general and the trader community in particular, many of whom expressed anguish that criminals were becoming increasingly emboldened in the city.

Asked about steps to prevent such brazen crimes, DIG Homkar said: “Direction has been given for disposal of pending warrants and do regular check and search drive to nab the accused of other cases.”

Arvind Kumar Singh, officer-in-charge (OC) of Lalpur police station under whose jurisdiction the crime spot is, said the cops are leaving no stone unturned in search of the gunmen.

“Raids are being conducted at all possible locations to nab the culprits,” the OC said.