Salman Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, has been attacked as he was about to give a lecture in southwestern New York state, Al-Jazeera reported.

Police said Rushdie was apparently stabbed in the neck on Friday after an assailant attacked him and an interviewer.

“Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck, and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known,” New York State Police said in a statement.

“The interviewer suffered a minor head injury. A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody.” (NewsWire)