In a shocking incident in Jammu, Farooq Abdullah narrowly survived an assassination attempt after a man fired two shots at him during a wedding function on Thursday.
Speaking publicly for the first time after the incident, the 88-year-old leader said he initially mistook the gunshots for firecrackers.
“I was walking out of the venue when I heard the sound of a firecracker. Immediately, I was rushed into a car. Later, I was told that there was a man with a pistol who had fired two shots. Neither do I know this man, nor do I have any information about him,” Abdullah said.
The veteran politician, who is a Z+ category protectee, said he believes divine intervention saved his life.
Gunman Fired at Point-Blank Range, Arrested Immediately
Police identified the accused as Kamal Singh Jamwal, a 63-year-old resident of Jammu.
According to officials, the attacker approached Farooq Abdullah from behind and attempted to aim a pistol at point-blank range before firing two shots in his direction.
Both shots missed their target, and the gunman was immediately overpowered by Abdullah’s security personnel before he could cause further harm.
Investigators later said Jamwal told police he had been trying to kill Abdullah for nearly 20 years, though the motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
What Did Farooq Abdullah Say After the Attack?
During a press conference after the incident, Farooq Abdullah said he had no knowledge of the attacker or his intentions.
“I don’t know what his intention was. To say it was a security lapse would be a big statement to make. Many big personalities were present at the wedding, but there were no police present,” he said.
Abdullah also revealed that Amit Shah personally called him after the incident to check on his well-being.
“I did get a call from the Union Home Minister who asked me about my well-being and assured me that they would investigate the matter. An inquiry should be done,” Abdullah said.
Where Did the Incident Take Place?
The firing occurred during a wedding event attended by several political leaders in Jammu.
Officials said Farooq Abdullah and Surinder Choudhary had arrived at the venue to greet a Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader on the occasion of his son’s wedding.
Both leaders had reportedly been at the venue for over an hour before the shooting took place. Fortunately, neither Abdullah nor Choudhary was injured.
Rising Hatred Behind Such Incidents, Says Abdullah
Reacting to the attack, Farooq Abdullah said the growing atmosphere of hatred in society could be contributing to such violent acts.
“Such things keep happening when there is a situation of hatred now. No religion teaches hatred, but only love,” he said.
Security Questions Raised After the Attack
The assassination attempt has raised serious concerns about security arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir, a sensitive Union Territory.
Security experts noted that under standard protocol for high-profile leaders like Farooq Abdullah, the area should have been sanitised and strict access control implemented.
CCTV footage from the venue reportedly shows the attacker approaching Abdullah from behind before pointing the weapon at him.
Authorities are now expected to conduct a detailed inquiry to determine whether there was any lapse in the security system.
