Shah speaks to Abdullah, assures fair probe
*Attacker sent to 5-day police custody
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 12: Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah today described his narrow escape from an assassination attempt on his life as an act of divine intervention, while raising serious questions over the inadequate police deployment at a high-profile wedding ceremony where the incident took place in Jammu south last night.
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The 88-year-old veteran politician and head of his party was targeted at point-blank range on Wednesday night while leaving a marriage function in Greater Kailash area of the winter capital city.
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“I am fine and God has saved me,” Farooq told media-persons at his residence this morning.
The assailant, identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, reportedly told investigators that he had been waiting for an opportunity to kill Abdullah for the last over 20 years as he had a “personal motive.”
“I do not know that man, nor had anyone ever told me anything about him. As for what his motive was… how would I know what it could have been?” he said.
Narrating the moments of attack, Abdullah said he was stepping out of the wedding hall after the bride arrived. He was moving towards his vehicle along with his party leaders and the security guards. Then he suddenly heard the sound of firing from the back and thought it were firecrackers.
“I thought someone must have burst a firecracker, because people often burst them at weddings,” he added.
Faroooq, however, said he had later felt a burning sensation but did not realise at the time that it was a gunshot.
“Then I felt a kind of burning sensation, but at that moment I did not realise what had happened. In the meantime my security personnel quickly pushed me into a car, and when they were seated, they told me, ‘Sir, it was actually a pistol.’ They said that the person had fired two shots at me,” Abdullah narrated.
Asked about a possible security lapse, Abdullah said that it would be premature to make such claims, but said that many prominent people were present at the function, and adequate police arrangements should have been in place.
“It seems like there might have been a security lapse somewhere, but calling it a security lapse is a very big statement. The question is that many prominent people were present at this wedding, so the police should have taken proper precautions. But there was a total absence of police arrangement,” Farooq remarked.
Despite being a Z+ category protected person, Faroqq highlighted a glaring lack of basic security protocols at the venue.
He said the biggest issue is that there was no police presence at all. “Not for me alone, but many prominent people had come to that wedding. It was necessary to have protection at such an event, especially in the kind of environment we are living in today, where such elements exist. Precaution is necessary,” he said.
Following the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Farooq Abdullah to check on his well-being and assured a thorough investigation into the security breach and the attacker’s motives.
“Yes, the Home Minister called me. He asked how I was. I told him, ‘By the grace of God, I am safe.’ Shah told that they had caught the person and that an investigation would be conducted, and they would inform me what exactly happened,” he added.
Abdullah said a proper and fair inquiry should be conducted to determine the reasons behind the attack.
“There should be a proper inquiry into this matter. Now, it is up to them to investigate and find out why this happened and what the reason was. These kinds of things keep happening nowadays…where an atmosphere of hatred has been created,” Farooq said.
Former CM credited his survival to the prompt action of his Special Security Group (SSG) and NSG commandos. “They stood in front of me and showed immense courage. That is why I am alive.”
When asked whether the earlier downgrading of his security could have contributed to the incident, Farooq said that increasing security alone does not fully eliminate risks.
“Even if you increase your security, remember one thing; the attacker always has the advantage. He knows where he wants to target you and what he wants to do. But I will not say that security should be increased further. That is not the main issue,” he maintained.
The NC chief said terrorism continues to be a global challenge. “We live in an era where terrorism is hanging over us like something in the sky, and we cannot completely control it. Terror exists not only in our country but across the world. Anything can happen anywhere,” he asserted.
Responding to another question about remarks by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge linking the attack to the absence of statehood, Abdullah said that elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir with the assurance that full Statehood would be restored.
“The biggest issue is that there is an elected government, but it does not have the powers it should have. Elections were held with the promise that statehood would be restored and people’s difficulties would be addressed. Years have passed – where is that statehood?” he asked.
Asked whether crime was increasing in Jammu and Kashmir due to the absence of statehood, he said crimes happen across the country and warned that rising poverty and global developments could worsen economic conditions.
“Crime exists everywhere in the country. Poverty is increasing and the global situation, especially because of the war involving Iran, will affect us as well,” he said, adding that the middle class would face the biggest difficulties due to rising prices.
“The prices of everything are rising. The price of oil will go up and you may not even get cooking gas. What will people do then?” he asked.
On the overall situation in the country, Farooq said that hatred had deepened in society and warned that it was shrinking the space for those advocating communal harmony.
“Yes, there is law and order disorder. The biggest tragedy is that hatred in the country has taken deep roots. There is very little space left for those who talk about friendship and love between religions,” he said, adding that no religion teaches hatred and all religions promote compassion and mutual help.
Responding to allegations by some leaders of his party that the attack on him involved a conspiracy, Abdullah said any such claims should be investigated.
“If there is any conspiracy, it should certainly come out. But I request the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor that when they repeatedly say the situation has completely improved, they should examine whether the environment has truly become safe enough for us to move around with dignity,” he said.
On the Supreme Court granting bail to separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah, Dr Farooq said people should work towards making the country better. “They should come out and help make this country better so that people can live here with dignity and humanity. Let us abandon hatred,” he said.
Referring to the continued displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, Abdullah stressed the need for communal harmony and reconciliation. “Our Hindu brothers are still living away from their homes. How long will this continue? It has been 34 years. The time has come for us to live together,” he added.
Meanwhile, Farooq’s son– Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has echoed concerns about security on X, questioning how an armed man reached point-blank range.
“There are more questions than answers at the moment, including how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG-protected former CM,” he said.
Omar and his sons-Zamir and Zahir arrived from Srinagar and met Farooq Abdullah. DyCM Surinder Choudhary also visited him.
Top officials are currently reviewing security for all high-profile protectees in Jammu and Kashmir, with plans to upgrade convoy jammers and enforce stricter access controls at public events.
Meanwhile, a court today remanded accused Kamal Singh Jamwal to five-day police custody for questioning.
The 63-year-old accused, Jamwal, was produced in the city court amid tight security.
Police sought his custody stating that further interrogation was necessary to ascertain the motive behind the attack and to verify whether the accused had any links with any organisation or individual.
The court, after hearing both sides, allowed five days’ police remand and also asked the police to ensure proper medical checkup of the accused every 24 hours.
Earlier, Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi, was taken to hospital where he underwent medical checkup.
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