‘God Saved Me’: Farooq Abdullah Reacts After Assassination Bid in Jammu

Jammu, Mar 12: Veteran politician and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said “God saved me” after a man allegedly attempted to assassinate him during a marriage function in Jammu on Wednesday night.

The accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, allegedly targeted Abdullah, president of the ruling National Conference, during the event held in the Greater Kailash area on the outskirts of the city.

Abdullah had a narrow escape when the gunman reportedly opened fire from behind as the veteran leader was leaving the venue.

“I am fine and God has saved me,” Abdullah said on Thursday morning while reacting to the incident.

Recalling the tense moment, he said the assailant had managed to get close to him from behind. “At the last minute, he was overpowered by the security personnel, including the NSG. I was immediately put into my car and driven away safely,” he added.

The attack on Abdullah, a Z+ category protectee, has raised serious concerns over the security arrangements in the sensitive Union Territory. As per protocol for high-profile protectees, the area is expected to be sanitised with strict access control measures in place.

While Farooq Abdullah refrained from commenting on the alleged security lapse, his son and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern in a post on X.

“…what is known is that a man with a loaded pistol was able to get within point-blank range and discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured the assassination attempt failed,” he said.

He further said that many questions remain unanswered, particularly how an armed individual managed to get so close to a former chief minister protected by Z+ NSG security.

Following the incident, Omar Abdullah rushed to Jammu and went directly to his father’s residence.

Meanwhile, top officials have begun reviewing the security arrangements of all central government protectees in Jammu and Kashmir. Steps are also being taken to strengthen protection measures, including upgrading jammers used in security convoys. (Agencies)