A man who was 'knee-capped' by a masked gang was due to undergo surgery for his injuries today.

The 38-year-old victim was beaten with baseball bats and shot twice in the knee at a house in West Bowling while his seven-year-old son cowered upstairs in bed.

He was found slumped in the garden, bleeding and in agony, and underwent emergency surgery in hospital.

It was feared the man, who may have been the victim of mistaken identity, could have to have his left leg amputated because of his horrific injuries.

Detective Inspector Chris Binns, of Bradford South CID, said the victim was in a stable condition at an undisclosed local hospital and was due to have further surgery today.

He said there was still no apparent motive for the shooting but added: "He may have been mistakenly identified - it is a theory."

The victim had recently been to stay at a friend's house in a cul-de-sac, Daleside Walk in West Bowling, when he was attacked at 11.30pm on Saturday by a gang of four masked men. Police arrested four men soon after the incident. They have been bailed pending inquiries but were re-arrested in connection with a similar alleged offence in Nelson, Lancashire, and taken there for questioning.

Det Insp Binns said detectives were focusing their attention on forensic inquiries to see if there were any links between the crimes.

Detectives said the victim was beaten about the upper body and head and shot twice in the knee with a pistol before being left badly injured.

They described it as an "horrific" attack and said it was made more callous by the fact that the victim's son was in the house. They are urging anyone with information to contact Bradford Central Police on (01274) 376483.