Salman Rushdie, whose novel “The Satanic Verses” drew death threats from Iran’s leader in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and abdomen, this Friday by a man who rushed the stage as the author was about to give a lecture in western New York

The Indian-born British-American novelist, 75, was flown in blood to a hospital and was undergoing surgery, police said. His condition was not immediately known.

Police identified the attacker as Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairview, New Jersey. He was arrested at the scene and was awaiting arraignment. State police Maj. Eugene Staniszewski said the motive for the stabbing was unclear.