Kharge, Ramzan raise issue in Rajya Sabha;
Mehbooba, Lone, Bukhari, others condemn attack
New Delhi, Srinagar: The assassination attempt on former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah echoed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge and National Conference MP Choudhary Ramzan expressing concern over the incident and demanding stronger security arrangements for the veteran leader.
Speaking in the House, Kharge said the attack on Dr Farooq was a serious matter and raised concerns over the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“An attack was carried out on Farooq Abdullah Sahib. If the attacker had got even a minute or two more, he could have killed him,” Kharge said while addressing the Rajya Sabha.
He said the incident indicated that the safety of senior political leaders was under threat and urged the government to take the matter seriously.
Participating in the discussion, National Conference MP Choudhary Ramzan also called for an immediate upgrade in the security cover of Farooq Abdullah. Ramzan told the House that the veteran leader survived the attack because people around him acted swiftly and managed to overpower the attacker.
“At the time of the incident, Dr Farooq Abdullah had security cover and his workers were around him. It was due to their efforts that the attacker was overpowered and his life was saved,” Ramzan said. Ramzan also claimed that a senior political leader accompanying Dr Farooq was injured during the scuffle before the attacker was subdued. He urged the government to ensure better protection for the veteran leader and upgrade his security cover to prevent such incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, political leaders across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday strongly condemned the firing incident targeting National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah. They expressed relief that he escaped unharmed while calling for a thorough investigation into the security breach.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), president Mehbooba Mufti said she was shocked to hear about the “grave attack” on Abdullah but was relieved to know that he is safe “Shocked to hear about the grave attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab. Relieved to know that he’s safe and doing well. Hope police gets to the bottom of this very perturbing security lapse,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
People’s Conference president Sajad Lone also condemned the incident, terming it a cowardly act. “Condemn the cowardly firing at Dr Farooq sahib and Surinder Choudhary Ji and Nasir Aslam sahib. Thanks to Allah Almighty that they are safe,” he said.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also expressed relief that Abdullah escaped unharmed in the firing incident. “Glad to know that Farooq Abdullah Sahib escaped unharmed in the firing incident in Jammu. The assailant has been arrested, but the matter must be thoroughly investigated to determine whether it was just a drunken act by the attacker or something more serious,” Bukhari said in another Tweet.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president, Tariq Hameed Karra termed the incident shocking and deeply disturbing, saying it raises serious concerns. “ People deserve safety, stability and a secure environment, and it is the responsibility of the administration to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” Karra said, while praying for the safety and well-being of everyone.
Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir Ul Islam also condemned the attack on former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, calling it “concerning and condemnable.”
Meanwhile, a condemnation meeting was held at the Nawai Subha Complex, the headquarters of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), against the attempted assassination of party president Farooq Abdullah. Several MLAs, senior leaders and party workers gathered at the party headquarters to strongly condemn the incident and express solidarity with Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Notably, the assailant involved in the firing was arrested and further investigation into the incident is underway. The accused, identified as Kamal Singh, was produced before a Jammu court by the police and has been sent to five days of police remand
