Srinagar, Mar 12: A day after escaping an assassination attempt, National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that it was ‘God’ who saved him and that he does not know the man who tried to open fire at him during a wedding ceremony in Jammu.
The NC chief escaped unhurt after a man allegedly attempted to fire at him at a marriage function in Jammu late Wednesday night, triggering panic at the venue.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Dr Abdullah said he had no personal dispute with the accused and was unaware of his motives. “I don’t know this man at all. He has said that he had been waiting for 20 years and had a personal grudge, but I don’t know what his purpose was. I have never tried to harm anyone,” he said.
Dr Farooq recalled that he initially mistook the gunshots for firecrackers before being alerted by his security personnel. “I felt a sudden heat but did not immediately realise that a gunshot had been fired. I thought it was firecrackers. My security personnel quickly put me in my car. Then they told me that the man had fired two bullets from his revolver,” he said.
The former CM credited his security team for preventing a possible tragedy, saying they acted swiftly to protect him. “The local police personnel who are part of my security and the NSG officers who put their lives at risk to protect me tried their best to save me,” he said, expressing gratitude to them.
At the same time, the NC president raised concerns about the lack of adequate security arrangements at the wedding venue. “To say there was a security lapse is a big statement, but the fact is that there was no police arrangement there. Many high-profile people had come to attend the wedding, so there should have been protection,” he said.
He added that ministers and MLAs present at the function also supported and reassured him during the tense moments. “I thank Allah that my security personnel were there. Our ministers and MLAs also gave me courage at that time,” Dr Abdullah said.
The former chief minister also revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had called him after the incident and assured him that a thorough investigation would be carried out. “He called me and said a probe will be conducted. The conspiracy behind the incident will eventually come to light,” he said.
Reflecting on the broader situation, Dr Farooq urged the central government and the Lieutenant Governor to assess whether the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir truly reflects the claims of normalcy.
“I would request both the central government and the Lieutenant Governor to examine whether the situation is truly normal, as is often claimed. They should see whether the environment has really improved enough for people to move around with dignity,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NC president also commented on the escalating tensions in the Middle East, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to play a role in promoting peace.
“India has always stood for peace. The Prime Minister should use his good relations with world leaders and ask the US and Israel to stop this war against Iran so that peace can prevail,” he said.
