Shocking new video of a stabbing attack at an anti-Islam rally in Mannheim reveals why a hero cop went after the victim instead of the knife.

CHAOTIC footage from the German stabbing attack shows a hero cop tackling the wrong man while trying to apprehend the knifeman.

A man in a blue jacket, possibly a rally organizer, punches someone lying on the ground in dramatic footage before the officer takes him outside.

It is possible that the police officer, who is in a coma after being stabbed in the head and neck, thought he was the knifeman.

The video shows the man in blue punching a man dressed in a black top and light pants as he lies on the ground – before the officer knocks him down.

Meanwhile, the cutler, dressed in a green top and black tracksuit bottoms, is involved in the scuffle nearby and appears to be heading towards them.

It is unclear whether the man in blue thought he was pushing the knife away by hitting the person on the ground.

The stabbing attack took place Friday morning on the Mannheim square, during an anti-Islam demonstration.

Six people, including far-right activist Michael Stürzenberger, were injured.

Broadcast live on YouTube, horrific close-up footage showed the knife stabbing the police officer from behind.

The police officer captured in the shocking new video has been placed in an induced coma, authorities said yesterday.

Around 11:30 a.m. local time, a live stream captured the moment Sulaiman A, 25, launched his attack, brandishing a huge knife.

Named in local media, Sulaiman is believed to have emigrated from Afghanistan to Germany in 2013.

Residents of Mannheim said they did not feel safe after Friday's rampage.

Floral tributes and candles were laid in the market square where residents gathered today.

Emilia, a 22-year-old student, told MailOnline: 'It's really scary, this is our way home.

“We pass by [the market square] daily and I will think about what happened here and how it could happen again any day.

“At first I couldn’t believe what had happened.

“I couldn’t believe my own eyes, I couldn’t believe that something like that had happened just 200 meters from where I was.”

Leo, 21, also said: “Seeing something like that happen in a place where we spend a lot of time ourselves and knowing that it could have also been a friend, my girlfriend or myself standing there, It obviously really shocked me.”

“It really hit close to home.”