Srinagar/Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], March 12 (HBTV): J&K National Conference President Farooq Abdullah survived an alleged assassination attempt on Wednesday evening in Jammu while attending a marriage ceremony after an attacker tried to shoot him from point-blank range.
According to reports, the attacker was standing just a few steps behind Abdullah and fired a shot with his arm aligned with the leader’s shoulder. However, security commandos pushed the attacker at the last moment, causing the bullet to miss its target. Abdullah escaped unhurt, according to videos circulating from the scene.
The attacker, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, was immediately taken into custody. Videos from the location showed several people assaulting him shortly after he was apprehended.
Following his arrest, Jamwal was seen seated on a chair while speaking to police officials and identifying himself as a resident of Puranas Mandi in Jammu. The 65-year-old reportedly showed no remorse and claimed he had been waiting for the opportunity for nearly 20 years.
'An attempt was made on the life of Farooq Abdullah when he was attending a marriage ceremony at the Royal Park in Greater Kailash, Jammu,' police said in a statement.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the incident as an assassination attempt on his 88-year-old father, who is under Z+ category security cover.
During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted that the attack stemmed from a personal motive. When asked why he wanted to kill Abdullah, Jamwal reportedly said, 'Today I got the chance to kill him but he didn’t die; he survived.' When asked again about his motive, he responded, 'I had my own mission.'
Jamwal was initially beaten by bystanders before being taken into custody by police. He was later seen sitting calmly while speaking to officers about his background.
(Inputs from NDTV)