Two men have been sentenced to a total of 48 years in prison following a violent axe attack on a busy road in Kent. Esmatullah Paktiawa and Dawood Khan were found guilty of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm after a six-week trial. The incident occurred on the A2 near Canterbury, where the victims, a man in his 20s and another in his 30s, were travelling in a white Seat. The attackers, driving a silver Mercedes, forced the victims' car to stop before launching their brutal assault. Police discovered the two men with serious head injuries, one of whom had been struck with an axe. A third individual in the vehicle managed to escape unharmed and assisted emergency services in providing first aid. Detective Inspector Colin McKeen described the attack as "brutal and premeditated," highlighting that it nearly resulted in one man's death. He stated, "The sentences handed down reflect the severity of the violence used and the wider criminal activity that was being conducted by these individuals." Both Paktiawa, from Plymouth, and Khan, from London, received 24 years each for their roles in the attack. Despite pleading not guilty, the jury's verdict confirmed their involvement in the violent crime. Kent Police expressed their commitment to holding violent offenders accountable, with McKeen adding, "I welcome the sentence passed by the court and hope it can provide a sense of closure to the victims." The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat violent crime in the region.