JAMMU: "God saved me," said veteran politician and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in his first reaction after a man allegedly tried to assassinate him during a marriage function here on Wednesday night.
The assailant, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, had allegedly set his targets on Abdullah 20 years ago, and managed to get within point-blank range of the ruling National Conference president during the event in the Greater Kailash area on the outskirts of the city.
Abdullah had a narrow escape when the gunman opened fire from behind while the veteran leader was leaving the venue.
Talking to reporters at his Jammu residence on Thursday, Abdullah said that he heard a loud sound and assumed that crackers were being burst at the wedding.
"But I felt warmth in my neck. I didn’t know what had happened," he said. "Later, I was told that there was a man with a pistol who had fired two shots. When the attacker was firing the second bullet, my security guard tried to avert the incident by pulling his hand. He got destabilised, and the pistol shot upwards."
Abdullah said his security personnel acted swiftly and immediately rushed him into a car.
Abdullah said, "Neither do I know this man, nor do I have any information about him. I don’t know what his motive was or what rivalry he had."
Raising concerns about security arrangements at the function, the NC president noted that many high-profile individuals were present. "If I say it is a security lapse, it will be a big statement. But many high-profile people were attending the marriage function. The police should have kept that in mind. There was no police arrangement there."
Abdullah said he received a call from Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the shooting. "The HM enquired about my well-being. He also informed me that the attacker had been arrested and that an investigation would determine the motive."
On the downgrading of his security detail, Abdullah said, "No matter how much you strengthen the security, the killer has an advantage. Remember always, the killer has the advantage as he knows what he wants to do. Increasing security does not matter."
He then praised National Security Guard members and local police for their quick response. "They risk their lives to save me."
Abdullah further warned that growing hatred in society was contributing to such incidents. "No religion teaches hatred; every religion teaches love and affection," he said.
"I would appeal to the Central and Lt. Governor government who repeatedly say that the situation here has improved, and that they should see whether the situation has really improved."
In response to a question, Abdullah said there is an elected government in J&K, but the elected government doesn't have powers- how can it continue this way?
"The Assembly election was held here, and it was promised during the election that statehood would be restored, why statehood has not been restored. They had made promises about statehood restoration in parliament and in the Supreme court,” he said and demanded restoration of statehood to J&K.
The attack on Abdullah, a Z+ category protectee, has triggered serious concerns regarding the security apparatus in the sensitive Union Territory.
Under standard protocol for such high-profile figures, the area should have been sanitised and strict access control enforced.
While the senior Abdullah declined to comment on the security lapse, his son and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern in a post on X.
"What is known is that a man with a loaded pistol was able to get within point-blank range and discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured the assassination attempt failed," he said.
He also said, "There are more questions than answers at the moment, including how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG-protected former CM."
Following the incident, the chief minister reached Jammu and drove straight to his father's residence.
Top officials are now reviewing the security of all central government protectees in Jammu and Kashmir.
Measures to further tighten protection are underway, including the upgrading of jammers used in convoys.
