“God Saved Me”: Farooq Abdullah Escapes Assassination Attempt at Jammu Wedding
A shocking assassination attempt on veteran politician Farooq Abdullah at a wedding function in Jammu has sent ripples across India’s political and security circles.
The 88-year-old former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir narrowly escaped harm when a gunman allegedly opened fire from close range while Abdullah was leaving a marriage ceremony at Greater Kailash in Jammu on Wednesday night.
What could have been a tragic political assassination was prevented only by the swift action of his security personnel, who deflected the shot and secured the area within seconds.
A Chilling Moment at a Wedding Celebration
The incident unfolded during a wedding reception attended by several prominent political figures at Greater Kailash in Jammu on Wednesday night.
Abdullah had just stepped out of the wedding pavilion and was preparing to leave when the shocking moment occurred.
According to Abdullah:
“I heard what I initially thought were firecrackers. Then I felt a burning sensation. At that moment, I did not realize what had happened.”
Within seconds, his personal security officers (PSOs) and NSG personnel intervened and restrained the attacker.
Later, Abdullah summed up the moment in a simple but powerful statement:
“I am fine. God has saved me.”
Accused Arrested: 20-Year Grudge Revealed
Police quickly arrested the accused, identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu.
During initial questioning, Jamwal reportedly told investigators that:
- He had been waiting for an opportunity for 20 years.
- The motive behind the attack was “personal”.
- He acted alone and not at anyone’s behest.
On Thursday, the accused was produced before a court in Jammu under tight security and was remanded to five-day police custody for further interrogation.
Political Leaders Present During the Incident
At the time of the attack, several senior leaders were accompanying Abdullah, including:
- Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary
- Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
CCTV footage reportedly shows the accused pointing a pistol directly at Abdullah before firing.
Authorities have ruled out speculation that the shot was part of celebratory firing.
Major Security Questions Raised
The attack has raised serious concerns about security protocols in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly for high-profile leaders.
Farooq Abdullah is a Z+ category protectee, which means strict security measures should normally include:
- Venue sanitization before arrival
- Multi-layer security checks
- Restricted access to VIP zones
- Close protection by trained commandos
However, Abdullah himself pointed out a disturbing detail.
There was no visible police presence at the wedding venue, despite several prominent leaders attending the event.
Omar Abdullah Reacts: “Security Team Prevented Tragedy”
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah’s son, expressed concern about the incident.
In a post on X, he said:
“A man with a loaded pistol managed to get within point-blank range. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured the assassination attempt failed.”
After hearing the news, Omar Abdullah immediately traveled to Jammu and visited his father’s residence, where political leaders and well-wishers gathered to express support.
NSG to Conduct Security Audit for VIPs
Following the attempted attack, authorities have launched a comprehensive security review.
The National Security Guard (NSG)—India’s elite “Black Cats” commando force—will conduct a security audit of all Z+ category VIP protectees.
Currently, the NSG protects several high-profile leaders, including:
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath
- Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
- National Conference President Farooq Abdullah
Officials are also considering:
- Upgrading convoy jammers
- Tightening event security protocols
- Reassessing threat perception levels
Political Leaders Across Parties Condemn the Attack
The assassination attempt drew strong condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum.
Mehbooba Mufti
The former Chief Minister expressed shock over the incident and called for a thorough probe.
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi
The Srinagar MP condemned the violence and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Sajad Gani Lone
The People’s Conference leader described the firing as “cowardly” and expressed relief that Abdullah survived.
M.Y. Tarigami
The CPI(M) leader called the incident a serious security lapse and urged authorities to investigate how an armed attacker reached such close proximity.
Lieutenant Governor Orders Investigation
Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha spoke with Farooq Abdullah after the incident and assured him that a thorough investigation would be conducted.
Officials are now examining:
- Security arrangements at the venue
- Entry protocols for guests
- Possible intelligence failures
The goal is to ensure that such lapses do not recur in the sensitive Union Territory.
Why This Incident Matters: Expert Perspective
The attempted assassination highlights three critical security realities in Jammu & Kashmir:
1. High-Risk Political Environment
Even decades after militancy peaked, political figures remain potential targets.
2. Public Events Are Vulnerable
Private functions like weddings often have less stringent security screening, creating risk zones.
3. Insider Access Risks
Many security breaches occur when attackers blend into crowds or guest lists.
Experts believe that future VIP events may require stricter pre-screening and digital guest verification.
The Resilience of Farooq Abdullah
Despite the frightening incident, Farooq Abdullah remained calm and reflective.
He emphasized that throughout his political career, he has never harbored ill will toward anyone and has always tried to help people regardless of political affiliation.
His survival has sparked a wave of relief among supporters and political colleagues across the country.
The attempted assassination of Farooq Abdullah serves as a stark reminder that security threats against political leaders remain real, especially in sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir.
While tragedy was narrowly avoided, the incident has triggered urgent security reviews and political introspection.
For now, the veteran leader’s words echo across the country:
“God saved me.”
