Assassination Attempt on Dr Farooq Abdullah Foiled; .32 Revolver Seized, Omar Terms It Security Lapse

JAMMU, Mar 12: National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah had a narrow escape after a man fired a shot at him during a wedding function at Royal Park in the Greater Kailash area on the outskirts of Jammu late Tuesday night. Police arrested the accused and seized the .32 revolver used in the incident.

The accused has been identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal (63), son of late Ajit Singh Jamwal and a resident of Purani Mandi, Jammu. Police have registered a case of attempt to murder and launched further investigation.

According to officials, the incident occurred around 10:45 pm on Tuesday when Dr Abdullah was leaving the venue after attending a wedding ceremony of a party leader’s kin. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani.

Police said the accused managed to fire one round from a licensed .32 revolver before security personnel accompanying Dr Abdullah swiftly intervened, disarmed him and removed the bullets from the weapon. The attacker was immediately taken into custody and handed over to the local police.

“No one was injured in the firing. The weapon used was a licensed .32 revolver and it has been seized. The accused has been arrested and a case has been registered,” SP City South Ajay Sharma said.

Officials said the accused appeared to be in an inebriated condition at the time of the incident and made no attempt to flee after the firing.

The incident has raised serious concerns over security arrangements, particularly as Dr Abdullah is a Z+ NSG protected leader.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the incident a security lapse, saying his father had a very close shave. In a post on X, Omar said the details were still sketchy but what was known was that a man carrying a loaded pistol was able to get within point-blank range of a highly protected leader.

“It was only the swift action of the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured that the assassination attempt failed,” Omar Abdullah said, adding that there were many unanswered questions about how the attacker managed to reach so close.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary also described the incident as a serious security lapse, questioning how a person carrying a firearm could enter a function attended by senior political leaders.

Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, who was accompanying Dr Abdullah at the time, said the accused attempted to target the former Chief Minister but was quickly overpowered by security personnel.

Police officials said no terror angle has been found so far, and investigations are continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

According to eyewitnesses, Dr Abdullah had been at the venue for more than an hour greeting guests and was leaving the function when the firing took place.