National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had a miraculous escape when a gunman opened fire on him after coming from behind while Abdullah was leaving a marriage function in Jammu last night. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, were accompanying Abdullah when the incident occurred.

 

The accused has been identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, son of Ajit Singh, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, who told police that he was waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for the last 20 years. Thanking Allah for saving the life of his father, Omar Abdullah said, “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.” Police said an attempt was made on the life of Abdullah when he was attending a marriage ceremony at the Royal Park in Greater Kailash, Jammu.

 

The security deployed with the protectee immediately swung into action, thwarted the attempt and took the accused into custody, who was later identified as Kamal Singh. The pistol used in the crime has been seized from the accused’s possession. Further investigation is underway.