Srinagar

Political leaders across party lines in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday strongly condemned the attack on Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and former chief minister, and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

Abdullah, 88, had a narrow escape when a gunman allegedly opened fire at him from behind while he was leaving a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday night.

Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, expressed shock over the incident.

“Shocked to hear about the grave attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab. Relieved to know that he’s safe and doing well. Hope the police get to the bottom of this very perturbing security lapse,” Mufti said in a post on X.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Kashmir, also condemned the attack and called for a detailed probe into the circumstances that allowed the assailant to approach Abdullah with a loaded weapon.

“News about the attempt on Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib’s life at a function in Jammu is concerning and condemnable. Relieved to know that he escaped unhurt. That someone with a loaded weapon got so close and fired at him needs to be thoroughly probed,” he said.

Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar and a leader of the National Conference, strongly condemned the incident and said such acts of violence were deeply concerning. He stressed that those responsible must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

Sajad Gani Lone, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference and MLA from Handwara, also denounced the firing.

“Condemn the cowardly firing at Dr Farooq sahib, Surinder Choudhary Ji and Nasir Aslam sahib. Thanks to Allah Almighty that they are safe,” Lone said in a post on X.

Senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), M Y Tarigami, termed the incident a serious security lapse and demanded a thorough probe.

“Strongly condemn the assassination bid on Farooq Abdullah Sahab. Fortunately, he escaped unhurt. The incident demands a thorough probe,” Tarigami said, questioning how the assailant managed to get so close with a loaded pistol.

According to police, the accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, a 63-year-old resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, has been arrested. During questioning, he allegedly told investigators that he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for nearly 20 years.

Surinder Choudhary, deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, were also present with Farooq Abdullah when the incident occurred.

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Authorities have launched an investigation into the firing and the security arrangements at the venue.