National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday escaped unhurt after a man allegedly opened fire during a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu.
Police said the accused was immediately apprehended at the scene and an investigation has been initiated. Officials have ruled out any terror angle in the incident.
According to reports, the accused has been identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal (63), son of late Ajit Singh Jamwal and a resident of Purani Mandi, Jammu. He was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident and claimed to be a shop owner in the area.
Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, who was present at the function along with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, confirmed the incident while speaking to reporters.
“A man made an unsuccessful bid to assassinate Dr (Farooq) Sahib by opening fire on him with his revolver. Though by the grace of God and the blessings of everyone, he remained unhurt. He was immediately overpowered (by the security personnel accompanying Dr Farooq). Police have arrested him.”
Wani said it would be premature to speculate about the motive behind the attack.
The incident occurred at Royal Park in Greater Kailash, where several political dignitaries, including Dr Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, were attending a marriage function.
In a brief statement, police said: “An incident of firing was reported at a function where J&K NC chief Dr Farooq Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were present. One person has been arrested.”
SP South Jammu Ajay Sharma also posted on X: “There was a firing incident using a licensed weapon at a marriage party where ex CM JK Dr Farooq Abdullah Sb was also present. It falls in the jurisdiction of Police Station Gangyal. Accused is arrested and a detailed investigation is going on. There is no terror angle. Hon’ble MP is unhurt, thank God!”
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary termed the incident a serious security lapse and questioned the absence of police deployment at the venue.
“Our party president and Nasir Sahib were there. I was also accompanying them. You need to ask the Police how and in what circumstances, this lapse occurred. In the Royal Park, where this function occurred, there was not even a single Police cop present. It was a major security lapse as a man entered the venue with a licensed gun in a function where former Chief Minister, present Deputy Chief Minister and the Advisor (to CM) were present,” Choudhary said.
Police said further investigation into the incident is ongoing.
