Syrian missile scientist Major General Nabil Zogheib has survived an assassination attempt by armed rebels, Press TV reported.
Zogheib was driving with his family in the Bab Touma neighborhood of Damascus when his car came under attack, Arabic language websites reported on Saturday.
He escaped the assassination attempt unharmed but sources said that one of his children was seriously injured.
Medical sources say the child is in critical condition.
Zogheib, a retired army officer, is said to be a staunch supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011, with demonstrations being held both against and in support of President Bashar al-Assad's government.
The Syrian government says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.
Damascus also says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country and the security forces have been given clear instructions not to harm civilians.