Jammu: Veteran politician and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah had a miraculous escape on Wednesday night after a gunman attempted to assassinate him at a wedding in Jammu’s Greater Kailash area.

The 88-year-old leader, who has Z+ category security, was leaving the venue when the assailant fired a shot at point-blank range from behind. Following the incident, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister gave his first reaction on Thursday morning, stating, "I am fine and God has saved me."

Describing the incident, he said, “I went to attend a wedding and while leaving the venue I heard some noise and thought it was a firecracker. Later I was told that a man had fired two shots with a pistol, but security personnel intervened, causing the weapon to point upward and preventing harm. I do not know the attacker or the motive behind the incident.”

According to witnesses and security officials, the assailant managed to infiltrate the venue and approach Abdullah as he was exiting.

The shooter, identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, was immediately overpowered by security personnel before he could fire a second time.

Police seized a licensed pistol used in the attack. During initial interrogation, Jamwal reportedly told police he had been "waiting for this moment for 20 years" to target Abdullah as part of a personal agenda.

Omar Abdullah questions "serious security lapse"

While the senior Abdullah declined to comment on the security lapse, his son and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern in a post on X.

"Allah is kind. My father had a very close shave. 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 & discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot & ensured that the assassination attempt failed," he said.

He also said, "There are more questions than answers at the moment, including how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG-protected former CM."

The attack has triggered an immediate review of security protocols for all central government protectees in the Union Territory. While police have ruled out a terror angle, describing it as an act by a "drunk" individual with a personal grudge, the lapse is being treated with extreme gravity.