‘Very close shave’: Farooq Abdullah survives assassination attempt at Jammu wedding; suspect detained

Investigators trying to determine how the suspect managed to reach such close proximity to the former Chief Minister

Srinagar: An alleged assassination attempt on ruling National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah sent shockwaves through a wedding reception in Jammu on Wednesday evening after a man tried to fire a shot at the veteran leader from close range, officials said.

The 88-year-old flamboyant politician escaped unhurt after his security personnel intervened and thwarted the attack. The incident occurred at a private marriage function in the Greater Kailash area in Jammu where Abdullah was attending a reception along with political leaders and other guests.

According to officials, the suspected attacker managed to move close to the former Chief Minister before suddenly firing a shot, triggering panic and chaos at the venue.

Security personnel accompanying Abdullah reacted within seconds, overpowering the man and taking him into custody before any further harm could be caused. The police confirmed that one person had been detained and was being questioned to determine the motive behind the attack and whether he acted alone.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the episode as an assassination attempt and said his father had a “very close shave”.

“A man carrying a pistol managed to get within point-blank range and fired. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot and ensured that the assassination attempt failed,” Omar Abdullah said, crediting the alert response of the security personnel.

The gunshot briefly sent guests scrambling for safety before the situation was brought under control. Witnesses said the suspect was quickly pinned down by security staff and people present at the venue.

In dramatic scenes captured on videos circulating on social media, the detained man allegedly claimed he had been waiting for an opportunity to kill Farooq Abdullah for nearly two decades.

According to eyewitnesses, the accused shouted that he had “wanted to kill Farooq Abdullah for 20 years” and had finally got the chance when the veteran leader arrived at the wedding reception. Police officials, however, said the claims made by the accused are yet to be verified and form part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators are also trying to determine how the suspect managed to reach such close proximity to Abdullah despite the veteran politician being under tight security cover.

Police sources said the weapon used in the incident appears to be a pistol, though it is still being verified whether it was licensed or illegally obtained. A forensic examination of the weapon is also expected.

Farooq Abdullah, one of the most prominent political figures in Jammu and Kashmir and a three-time Chief Minister, has long been under high security protection due to persistent threats linked to militancy in the region.

Officials said further details would emerge as the investigation progresses.