Accused overpowered at venue, investigation launched: Police
“Allah is kind, my father had a close shave”: CM Omar
CM’s advisor says “too early to draw conclusions”; Dy CM calls it a security lapse
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: Panic briefly gripped a wedding ceremony in Jammu on Wednesday evening after a man allegedly opened fire while JKNC Presidnet and former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary were present at the function, officials said.
Police said the accused was immediately overpowered and taken into custody, and that both Abdullah and Choudhary were safe. No injuries were reported in the incident.
According to officials, the firing took place during a wedding function near Royal Park in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu, where several political leaders and guests had gathered. The accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, allegedly fired a shot from a revolver, triggering panic among those present.
He was soon restrained by people at the venue and later handed over to the police.
In a brief statement, Jammu and Kashmir Police said: “An incident of firing was reported at a function where JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah and Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary were present. One person has been arrested. More details awaited.”
Preliminary information suggests the accused may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, officials said, adding that the weapon used in the firing has been seized and further investigation is underway.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the incident raised serious security concerns. In a post on social media, he said his father had a “very close shave”.
“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,” Omar Abdullah wrote on X.
He said it was the quick response of the security personnel that prevented a tragedy. “It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured that the assassination attempt failed,” he said.
Omar added that several questions remained unanswered about the security arrangements at the venue. “There are more questions than answers at the moment, including how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG-protected former CM,” he said.
Senior National Conference leader and Adviser to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, said it was too early to draw conclusions about the motive behind the incident.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Wani said the situation could have turned serious but no harm was caused.
“He tried to fire his revolver at Dr. Farooq Abdullah, but Allah saved him. Allah did a great favour. The Deputy Chief Minister of J&K was also present at the wedding, and Dr. Farooq Abdullah was there as well,” Wani said.
He added that the accused had been arrested and the matter was under investigation.
“They will have to see what the arrangements were and what was not. It is too early to comment on it. The matter is under investigation and the truth will come out,” Wani said.
Wani further said that Abdullah was safe and in good spirits after the incident.
“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.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary termed the incident a “major security lapse,” pointing to the absence of adequate security personnel at the venue when the firing took place.
A senior police officer said that they have begun a detailed investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the firing and whether the accused had any specific motive.
“We are also examining the sequence of events and reviewing security protocols for political leaders attending private functions. Further details would be shared after preliminary investigations are completed,” an official said.
