Man accused of attempting to assassinate Farooq Abdullah held in Jammu

Security personnel deployed outside the residence of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. (Pic/PTI)

The man accused of attempting to assassinate Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah is currently in custody at Gangyal Police Station in Jammu.

The accused, identified as Kamal Singh, was arrested by the police after allegedly attempting to shoot the former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah. As reported by news agency ANI, the accused was present at a wedding ceremony with a loaded pistol in New Delhi.

According to police, the National Security Guard (NSG) personnel assigned to protect Farooq Abdullah immediately intervened and successfully thwarted the assassination attempt.

The firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the accused, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, is currently being interrogated. Furthermore, the police officials said hat cognisance has been taken, and further investigation is underway.

Following the assassination attempt on Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited his father's residence on Thursday.

Omar Abdullag questions security measures

Omar Abdullah described the incident as a close brush with death, questioning how the assailant managed to get so close despite the former CM being under Z+ NSG security cover.

While posting on social media platform X, Omar wrote, "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 asked to get within range to discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot & ensured that the assassination attempt was foiled. There are more questions than answers at the moment, including but not limited to how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG-protected former CM."

Earlier on Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir police confirmed that an attempt was made on Farooq Abdullah's life during the wedding function.

Furthermore, the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had also confirmed that all leaders present at the venue were safe but expressed concern over the security arrangements, terming it a serious lapse.

The incident yet again raises questions about security protocols for high-profile leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities continuing to investigate the circumstances that allowed the assailant to approach Farooq Abdullah so closely.

(With inputs from ANI)