Neighbour recounts failed ventures and alcohol issues
Attacker claimed 20-year grudge as police probe motive
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: Kamal Singh Jamwal, a 63-year-old who attempted to assassinate former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah at a wedding in Jammu on Wednesday night, comes from one of the city’s prominent families but led a life marked by personal struggles and failed ventures, neighbours on Thursday said.
Jamwal’s house in Purani Mandi is now locked and secured with ropes. His violent act that has sent shockwaves across the Union Territory.
His father, Ajit Singh, had served as a senior police officer, but neighbours describe Jamwal as a man battling alcohol issues, failed businesses, and unfulfilled ambitions.
On Wednesday night, Jamwal approached Dr Farooq from behind as he was leaving a wedding in Greater Kailash, cocked a licensed revolver at the former chief minister’s head, and pulled the trigger.
A senior police officer told Kashmir Horizon that he missed the shot, reportedly due to intoxication. During the ensuing struggle, a second shot went off, but no one was hurt. Security personnel and others at the venue wrestled Jamwal to the ground. He was remanded to five-day police custody on Thursday.
During the initial interrogation, Jamwal claimed he had been targeting Abdullah “for 20 years,” blaming him for the “spread of terrorism” in Jammu and Kashmir. The revolver used belonged to him and was licensed, police said.
Manoj Kumar, a neighbour, said Jamwal had long struggled with personal and professional failures. He dropped out of school after Class 10 and unsuccessfully ventured into multiple businesses, including a leased hotel in Manali, a hotel in Ramban, and an eatery in Purani Mandi.
Politically, he contested the Jammu Municipal Corporation elections under the Panthers Party but lost. After 2014, he became active in religious programmes and claimed to head an organisation called Dharmik Jagran Manch.
Jamwal’s family includes a wife, a graduate son, and two married daughters. The wedding of one daughter had taken place just six to seven months ago. Following his arrest, the family reportedly left their Purani Mandi residence.
The wedding reception where the attack occurred belonged to Shatrujeet Singh, who denied any familial connection with Jamwal.
Kumar further said Jamwal had visited prior to the wedding and been invited by his mother, but he had avoided him due to Jamwal’s drinking habits.
“After that, Jamwal called several times asking about the wedding preparations, but I avoided him,” he added.
Meanwhile, police have registered FIR No. 29 under Sections 109 BNS and 3/25 of the Arms Act. The weapon has been seized, and a detailed investigation is ongoing.
A local court on Thursday remanded Kamal Singh Jamwal to police custody and directed that he undergo a medical examination every 24 hours during the remand period. Earlier in the day, Jamwal was taken to a hospital for a medical check-up before being produced in court.
The attack took place late Wednesday night during a wedding reception in Greater Kailash, on the outskirts of Jammu. Dr Farooq was leaving the venue along with senior political leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, when Jamwal approached him from behind.
CCTV footage shows Jamwal pulling out a pistol and firing from point-blank range. Security personnel immediately intervened, pushing the weapon upward and overpowering the attacker.
The swift action prevented the bullet from hitting Abdullah and ensured that the assailant was quickly subdued.
