Firing At Marriage Function Attended By Farooq Abdullah; One Arrested | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A man was apprehended on Wednesday evening after a firing incident at a marriage function in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu attended by National Conference president and five-time former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.

According to sources, the incident occurred when the two leaders were leaving the venue after attending the function. It was not immediately clear whether the firing was specifically aimed at the VIPs.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his father had a “very close shave” and raised questions about the security breach. In a post on X, Omar Abdullah said, “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 and discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured that the assassination attempt failed.” He added that several questions remained unanswered, including how a person was able to get so close to a former chief minister protected by Z+ category security and the NSG.

The accused has been identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, son of late Ajit Singh Jamwal from the Purani Mandi area of Jammu. Officials said he fired from a revolver but was quickly overpowered by security personnel present at the venue and taken into custody.

CCTV footage from the venue circulating on social media shows the man opening fire while guests were leaving the function.

Another video shows several people surrounding the accused, including the Deputy Chief Minister, with some individuals seen assaulting him after he was caught.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot and an investigation has been launched to ascertain the circumstances and motive behind the incident.

Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said it was too early to draw conclusions about the gunshot incident.

“A person tried to assassinate Dr Sahib with a revolver, but Allah saved him; it was God’s mercy,” Wani said. Responding to questions about security arrangements at the venue, he added, “It is too early to comment on anything.”

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said he, along with Dr Abdullah and Nasir Wani, was present at the function and all were safe.

“The function was at Royal Park in Greater Kailash and there was nobody from the local police. It is a major security lapse where a former Chief Minister and the current Deputy Chief Minister were present. When such an incident happens and a person with a gun is able to enter the venue, you can imagine what kind of security was in place,” Choudhary said, adding that the matter should be examined by the police.

The ruling party did not issue any formal statement. However, a brief post on its official Facebook page read: “Alhamdulillah.”

In a short statement, Jammu and Kashmir Police said an incident of firing had been reported at a function attended by Farooq Abdullah and the Deputy Chief Minister and that one person had been arrested. Further details were awaited.

Wani later said the situation could have turned serious but no harm was caused. “Allah did a great favour. Everything was saved. Dr Farooq Abdullah is fine and in good spirits. He is resting now and, InshaAllah, we will meet tomorrow,” he said.