'God saved me': Farooq Abdullah's first reaction after assassination bid at wedding in Jammu

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday reacted to the assassination bid on him, saying "God saved me".

The veteran leader was targeted while he was at a wedding in Jammu on Wednesday night.

The accused was identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal from Jammu even as Abdullah had a narrow escape while leaving the venue of the wedding.

"I am fine and God has saved me," Abdullah told PTI on Thursday morning.

Recalling the moment, Abdullah said the assailant had managed to get right behind his neck.

"At the last minute, he was overpowered by the security personnel, including the NSG. I was immediately put into my car and driven away safely," he added.

During questioning, the police found that Singh was waiting for an opportunity to assassinate Abdullah for over 20 years.

The attack on the National Conference chief, a Z+ category protectee, has triggered serious security concerns in the Union Territory.

Under standard protocol for such high-profile figures, the area should have been sanitised and strict access control enforced.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Farooq Abdullah's son, Omar Abdullah raised the concerns on X.

"....what is known is that a man with a loaded pistol was able to get within point-blank range and discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured the assassination attempt failed," he said.

"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 added.

Following the incident, the chief minister reached Jammu and drove straight to his father’s residence.

A review of the security of all central government protectees in Jammu and Kashmir is now being conducted by senior officials.