JAMMU: A man was arrested after an attempt on the life of senior Kashmiri politician Farooq Abdullah, Indian media reported on Thursday.
Abdullah, a former chief minister of India-occupied Kashmir and president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), was attending a wedding in Greater Kailash, Jammu, when the suspect brandished a pistol and tried to approach him, according to initial reports cited by The Hindu.
Security personnel guarding Abdullah quickly overpowered the attacker. Eyewitnesses claimed the man fired a shot, though police have not confirmed it. Occupied Kashmir’s Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary and adviser to CM Nasir Aslam Wani were also present at the event.
Police confirmed in a statement: “An attempt was made on the life of Dr Farooq Abdullah while he was attending a marriage ceremony at Royal Park, Greater Kailash. The security personnel of J&K Police and NSG immediately thwarted the attempt.”
Abdullah’s son, former CM Omar Abdullah, described the incident on social media, saying, “My father had a very close shave… 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 the assassination attempt failed.” He questioned how the attacker managed to approach a Z+ NSG-protected former CM.
Video shared by Omar showed Abdullah walking in a hall when a man approached from behind, appeared to draw a gun, and was immediately tackled by security guards.
The suspect, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, was 63 years old. Authorities recovered the firearm used in the attack. According to Hindustan Times, Jamwal told police he had been planning to kill Abdullah for nearly 20 years, describing it as “my personal agenda” and claiming the weapon was issued to him.
Further investigation is ongoing.
Reacting to the incident, former CM Mehbooba Mufti expressed shock on X, saying: “Shocked to hear about the grave attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab. Relieved to know that he’s safe and doing well. Hope police gets to the bottom of this very perturbing security lapse.”