A firearm was discharged near former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah during a wedding ceremony in Jammu on Wednesday night, officials said. Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, and Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani were present at the event and were not injured.
The incident occurred in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu when Abdullah and accompanying senior leaders were leaving the venue after attending the wedding ceremony.
According to officials, an armed individual suddenly drew a pistol and fired a shot in Abdullah’s direction as the leaders were exiting the venue.
Police identified the accused as Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Old Mandi. Authorities said Jamwal was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. Security officials stated that alert personnel attempted to snatch his weapon before he fired, causing him to fall to the ground. Despite the intervention, he managed to discharge one round.
Two officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Police security wing—an inspector and a sub-inspector—immediately intervened and restrained the accused. Jamwal has been arrested and a detailed investigation is underway. Officials said there is no indication of a terrorist angle in the incident.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary described the episode as a lapse in security. Speaking to journalists, he said that when a former chief minister, the deputy chief minister, and the chief minister’s advisor are present at a function, the entry of a person carrying a weapon indicates a failure in the security system.
Police said a detailed investigation is ongoing. Ajay Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Jammu City South, confirmed that the firing occurred in the presence of Farooq Abdullah and that the accused was immediately arrested.
The incident occurred after the ceremony had concluded. Abdullah and other leaders had attended the wedding of B.S. Chauhan’s son and had been present at the venue for more than an hour. The event took place in the Greater Kailash area, located on the outskirts of the city.
The firing caused panic at the venue and attendees ran in different directions. Security personnel intervened promptly, preventing serious harm, and no injuries were reported.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed sadness and anger over the incident. He said that his father had escaped unharmed. In a message posted on a social media platform, he stated that details were still unclear but confirmed that a man had managed to approach Farooq Abdullah closely with a loaded pistol and fire a shot.
The chief minister said the internal security team intervened in time and thwarted the attack attempt. He also questioned how an individual could approach so close to a former chief minister who has Z Plus category security.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and police officials described the security lapse as serious. They said the incident indicated the need for stricter security arrangements at public events such as ceremonies.
Officials said Jamwal is more than 70 years old and carried out the act while under the influence of alcohol. Police said the investigation will examine how the accused was able to reach the venue without obstruction and will also review the functioning of the security personnel and existing security procedures.
