Assassination Attempt On Farooq Abdullah Fails, Major Security Breach At Wedding Event In Jammu

Jammu: A major security breach occurred in a wedding function where an assassination attempt on former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah failed due to prompt action by his security personnel on Wednesday.

As per the CCTV footage, an old man, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal (68), tried to shoot Farooq Abdullah from a point-blank range with his pistol, but the veteran leader had a close shave and escaped unhurt.

Describing this incident, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on X, "Allah is kind. My father had a very close shave. The details are sketchy at the moment, but what is known is that a man with a loaded pistol was able to get within point-blank range & discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot & ensured that the assassination attempt failed. There are more questions than answers at the moment, including but not limited to how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG-protected former CM."

"Thankfully both the Dy CM & Nasir Sogami who were accompanying my father at the time are also safe and sound. The almighty shielded them," Omar Abdullah added.

The incident has created panic in Jammu, and the NC president was evacuated to a safer place by his security personnel. The incident occurred in the Royal Park banquet hall in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu, where Farooq Abdullah had gone to attend a marriage ceremony of the daughter of an NC leader. He was accompanied by J&K deputy CM Surinder Choudhary and other leaders.

The police have arrested the accused, and sustained questioning is being done as to why he tried to shoot the NC president. After the assassination attempt, CM's advisor Nasir Aslam Wani told media persons, "The man attempted to kill Farooq Abdullah by opening fire from his pistol. Almighty saved Farooq Sahab, and no one was injured in the incident."

He added that the police are investigating the matter, while Farooq Abdullah is unhurt and is in “good spirits”. Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary termed it a major security lapse and said, "No police personnel or security officials were present there at the time of the incident."

In his statement to police, the shooter, Kamal Singh Jamwal, reportedly said that he had wanted to kill Farooq Abdullah for the last 20 years, and today he got an opportunity but failed in his attempt.

Jammu and Kashmir Police has issued a statement in this regard and said, "An attempt was made on the life of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, former CM/President of J&K National Conference, when he was attending a marriage ceremony at Royal Park Greater Kailash, Jammu. The security personnel of JKP and NSG, who were deployed with the protectee, immediately swung into action and thwarted the attempt. Further, the accused was taken into custody, who was later identified as Kamal Singh S/o Ajit Singh R/o Purani Mandi, Jammu. The firearm, used in the crime, has also been recovered from the possession of the accused. Cognisance has been taken and further investigation is going on."

After the incident, Superintendent of Police Jammu South Ajay Sharma visited the residence of Farooq Abdullah in Bathindi area and ensured that security was heightened in and around the house. The incident has raised many questions on the security and safety of the former CM, as to how a man was allowed to enter the banquet hall with a loaded pistol and go near Farooq Abdullah.

NC leaders have claimed that there was no presence of local police, and the NC president was having only his personal Z+ security cover. The incident has sent shivers through political circles in Jammu and Kashmir, with people from different parties expressing their anger and condemnation of the assassination attempt.

Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra reacted and posted on X, "Strongly condemn the shocking firing incident on former CM Farooq Abdullah sb & other senior leaders reported in Jammu today. Such acts of violence are deeply disturbing and raise serious concerns about the prevailing security scenario in the region.

The increasing criminalisation and lawlessness cannot be ignored. Those entrusted with maintaining law and order must be held accountable. The people deserve safety, stability, and a secure environment, and it is the responsibility of the administration to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone."

People's Conference president and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone posted on X, "Condemn the cowardly firing at Dr Farooq sahib, Surinder Choudhary Ji and Nasir Aslam sahib. Thanks to Allah Almighty that they are safe."

PDP spokesman Mohit Bhan condemned the incident and said, "From point-blank range, a man tried to shoot Dr Farooq Abdullah at a marriage function in Jammu. By God’s grace, he escaped unhurt. An alarming reminder of how hate, when left unchecked, can turn fatal. Strongly condemn this shocking incident."

A member of the Dogra royal family, Vikramaditya Singh, also reacted and posted, "Shocking attempt to fire at Dy CM of J&K. Farooq Abdullah in the near vicinity. All safe mercifully."

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