Gunman Tries to Shoot Farooq Abdullah at Point-Blank Range

Srinagar/Jammu:Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt in Jammu on Wednesday evening when a man tried to shoot him at point-blank range during a wedding ceremony.

According to reports, the attacker managed to come within a few steps of the veteran leader while he was attending the event. As he raised a pistol and fired, personnel from the National Security Guard (NSG) close protection team immediately pushed him aside, causing the bullet to miss its target. Dramatic visuals from the scene showed the commotion as security forces swiftly intervened.

The suspect, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, was immediately overpowered and taken into custody. Videos circulating from the venue showed bystanders confronting and thrashing the attacker soon after he was caught.

After being detained, Jamwal reportedly told police he is a resident of Puranas Mandi in Jammu. The 65-year-old allegedly showed little remorse and is said to have claimed that he had been waiting for this moment for the past 20 years.

Police confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, “An attempt was made on the life of Farooq Abdullah when he was attending a marriage ceremony at Royal Park in Greater Kailash, Jammu.”

Reacting to the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described it as an assassination attempt on his father, who is protected under Z+ security cover.

Taking to X, Omar Abdullah wrote that his 88-year-old father had a “very close shave.” He said a man carrying a loaded pistol managed to get within point-blank range and fired a shot, but the quick action of the close protection team deflected the bullet and prevented a tragedy.

He also raised concerns about how the attacker was able to get so close to a former chief minister protected by NSG commandos.

At the time of the incident, Farooq Abdullah was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Nasir Sogami, advisor to the Chief Minister.

Sogami later said that it appeared to be an attempt on Abdullah’s life but fortunately no one was injured. He added that the motive behind the attack remains unclear and authorities are also examining whether there was any security lapse.

“Right now we cannot draw any conclusions. God was kind that everyone is safe. Farooq Abdullah is safe,” Sogami said.