Assassination attempt on Farooq Abdullah jolts J&K: 'More questions than answers'

Farooq Abdullah is a 'Z-Plus' security protectee.

• Farooq Abdullah survives assassination attempt at Jammu wedding
• Attacker fired two shots; Abdullah escaped unhurt
• Leaders call for probe, voice security concerns

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Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday was targeted in an assassination attempt at a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu, with the incident drawing strong reactions from political leaders across the country.

The National Conference president had a miraculous escape when a gunman opened fire on him.

In his first reaction after surviving an assassination attempt, the former J&K CM on Thursday said he initially mistook the gunshots for firecrackers from a wedding in Jammu.

The attacker, identified as 63-year-old Jammu resident Kamal Singh Jamwal, allegedly tried to fire at Abdullah from point-blank range and discharged two shots in his direction. Abdullah narrowly escaped unhurt. According to police, Jamwal claimed he had been trying to kill the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief for the past 20 years.

After the assassination attempt, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned how the attacker had got close to his father despite the high security.

"Allah is kind. My father had a very close shave. 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 & discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot & ensured that the assassination attempt failed. 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," Omar said on X.

Abdullah (88) is a "Z-Plus" security protectee. This is the highest level of protection given to civilians in the country and allows him round-the-clock protection from National Security Guard commandos and the police.

Farooq had also survived a grenade attack in 2002 when suspected militants targeted a building he was inaugurating.

Opposition raises security concern

Several MPs on Thursday raised the issue of the attack on Abdullah in Parliament.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns about the former J&K CM’s security. He also pointed fingers at the Centre’s control over local police.

“Today, you must have read that in Jammu and Kashmir, an attack was carried out on Farooq Abdullah, and his security is under threat. Why has such an atmosphere developed there today? His security is at risk because Jammu and Kashmir earlier had statehood, and the local security and police arrangements were in place,” Kharge said in Parliament.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack.

“Shocked to hear about the grave attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab. Relieved to know that he’s safe and doing well,” Mufti said in a post on X.

She urged the police to conduct a thorough probe into the incident.

What does the Centre say?

Union Minister JP Nadda called it a serious matter and assured a probe.

While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Nadda slammed the Congress for questioning the Centre’s intention and attacked the opposition party, saying that blaming the government for risking Abdullah’s life is a “propaganda".

The J&K region has experienced a long-running insurgency since the late 1980s, with militants targeting politicians, security forces, and civilians. The conflict has caused thousands of deaths over the years. The attempt on Farooq becomes the latest example in a region that has long faced political violence.