Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Thursday that he initially mistook the gunshot fired near him at a wedding in Jammu for a firecracker, adding that “God saved me” from the attack.
Abdullah was speaking hours after a man shot him while leaving a wedding in Jammu. The bullet missed the veteran commander and the gunman was immediately overpowered by security personnel present at the scene.
Recalling the incident, the 88-year-old National Congress leader said that he was not aware that he was being shot at that moment.
Abdullah said: “I had gone to attend the wedding. After the ceremony ended, I returned to my house. The moment I left the wedding hall, I heard a strong explosion.”
He added: “I thought they used fireworks at weddings, so someone must have fallen near me. I also felt something hot near me. They told me later that it was due to a gun being fired. That’s all I know. I don’t know this man, and I don’t know anything about him.”
Abdullah said that he survived the accident, thanks to God. “God saved me,” he said.
The police arrested the accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, 63 years old, a resident of Jammu. Officials said the weapon used in the incident was a licensed firearm and ruled out any terrorism angle.
The shooting occurred when Abdullah was leaving the wedding venue after attending the ceremony for more than an hour. Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Surender Chaudhary and senior National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani were also present at the event.
Security forces quickly intervened and subdued the attacker before he could cause more harm. The firearm used in the incident has been seized, and an investigation is underway.
