FOUNDATION MAGAZINE FINANCIAL ADVICE STOCKLETTERS PORTFOLIO PMS BOOKS
BUY
Farooq Abdullah Escapes Assassination Attempt at Jammu Marriage Function; 63-Year-Old Gunman Kamal Singh Jamwal Arrested
Moneylife Digital Team 12 March 2026
Economy & Nation
National Conference president and Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister (CM) Farooq Abdullah narrowly escaped assassination on Wednesday night when a gunman opened fire on him at point-blank range as he was leaving a marriage function at Royal Park in Greater Kailash on the outskirts of Jammu. The accused, identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, was immediately overpowered by Abdullah's security detail, arrested on the spot and his pistol seized. He told police he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Mr Abdullah for the past 20 years.
 
Deputy chief minister (CM) Surinder Choudhary and Nasir Aslam Wani, adviser to CM Omar Abdullah, were accompanying Farooq Abdullah when the incident occurred, underscoring the seniority of those present and the audacity of the attack.
 
Omar Abdullah, thanking God for his father's escape, says the details remained sketchy in the immediate aftermath but confirmed the gravity of what had occurred. "What is known is that a man with a loaded pistol was able to get within a point-blank range and discharge a shot," he says in a statement that, while measured, raised immediate and pointed questions about how an armed individual was able to get that close to a former CM surrounded by security personnel at a public function.
 
 
The attack took place as Mr Abdullah was departing a wedding ceremony at Royal Park in Greater Kailash, Jammu. According to police, Mr Jamwal approached from behind and discharged a shot at the former chief minister from close range. The security personnel deployed with Mr Abdullah immediately swung into action, thwarted the attempt before further harm could be done and took the gunman into custody. The loaded pistol used in the attack was seized from his possession. Further investigation is underway.
 
Kamal Singh Jamwal s a 63-year-old resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu. Beyond his identity, what has struck investigators is his stated motive, or rather, the duration of it. He told police he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Mr Abdullah for the past 20 years, suggesting the attack was not impulsive but the culmination of a long-harboured intent. The nature of that grievance and whether Mr Jamwal acted alone or had any support or encouragement, is expected to form the core of the ongoing investigation.
 
Political condemnation was swift and cross-party. J&K pradesh Congress committee president Tariq Hameed Karra strongly condemned what he called a 'murderous attempt' on Mr Abdullah, describing it as 'shocking' and raising serious concerns about the security situation in the region.
 
"Such acts of violence are deeply disturbing and raise serious concerns about the prevailing security scenario in the region," Mr Karra says in a post on X, adding that the increasing criminalisation and lawlessness "cannot be ignored." He called for accountability among those responsible for maintaining law and order. "Those entrusted with maintaining law and order must be held accountable. The people deserve safety, stability, and a secure environment, and it is the responsibility of the administration to ensure that such incidents are not repeated," he said.
 
The incident will inevitably prompt a review of the security arrangements around Farooq Abdullah, who as a former CM and sitting president of the National Conference carries Z-category or equivalent protection. The fact that an armed 63-year-old civilian was able to approach him from behind at a crowded public function and fire a shot, even if that shot did not find its mark, points to a serious lapse in the security cordon that will need to be explained and addressed.
 
Farooq Abdullah, 87, is one of Jammu and Kashmir's most prominent and longest-serving political figures, having served as CM three times and as a Union Cabinet minister. His son Omar Abdullah is the current chief minister.
 
Comments
ICICI Pru
ICICI Bank credit card
  • EDITORS'
    PICKS
  • MOST
    POPULAR
  • MOST
    READ
Free Helpline
Legal Credit
Feedback
Buy Now!

Absolute Power

Inside story of the National Stock Exchange’s amazing success, leading to hubris, regulatory capture and algo scam

View Options

The Scam: Now in it's 12th Printing

29 Years Of The Scam: The Perennial Bestseller, reads like a Thriller!
#Scam92: Read the actual story.

Buy Now Gift Know More

Moneylife Online Magazine

Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.

1-year online access to the magazine articles published during the subscription period.
Access is given for all articles published during the week (starting Monday) your subscription starts. For example, if you subscribe on Wednesday, you will have access to articles uploaded from Monday of that week.
This means access to other articles (outside the subscription period) are not included.
Articles outside the subscription period can be bought separately for a small price per article.

Buy Now Gift Know More

Monthly Digital Access

Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.

30-day online access to the magazine articles published during the subscription period.
Access is given for all articles published during the week (starting Monday) your subscription starts. For example, if you subscribe on Wednesday, you will have access to articles uploaded from Monday of that week.
This means access to other articles (outside the subscription period) are not included.
Articles outside the subscription period can be bought separately for a small price per article.

Buy Now Know More

Full Archive access

Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.
Complete access to Moneylife archives since inception ( till the date of your subscription )

Buy Now

Stockletters in 5 Flavours

Outstanding research that beats mutual funds year after year

Buy Now Know More

MAS: Complete Online Financial Advisory

(Includes Moneylife Online Magazine)

Buy Now Know More
We are listening!
Reset
Success!

To continue

Please

or

With