The ruling National Conference leader and DyCM Choudhary alleged this was a targeted attack against Abdullah, who escaped the scene unhurt.
The incident took place on Wednesday evening in Jammu’s Greater Kailash area, where Abdullah, Choudhary and advisor to J&K CM, Nasir Aslam Wani were present.
“How was a man with weapon allowed to enter a venue where former CM and serving DyCM and Advisor were present. Where was local J&K police? This is a big security lapse,” Choudhary told reporters.
“One person tried to kill Dr sahib but Almighty saved him. Now the investigation will reveal further details,” said Wani. The accused has been identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, who was overpowered by personal security personnel of Abdullah and others present at the scene and was later taken into custody by the police.
The J&K police in a statement informed that there has been a firing incident using a licensed weapon at a marriage party. “Ex CM J&K Dr Farooq Abdullah was also present…Accused is arrested and detailed investigation is going on. There is no terror angle. Hon’ble MP is unhurt,” read the official statement of police in Jammu.
The J&K CM Omar Abdullah said that his father had a very close shave but is fine.
“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 and discharge a shot,” said Abdullah adding, “It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured that the assassination attempt failed.” J&K CM said that 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.”
