Farooq Abdullah links assassination attempt to ‘deeply rooted hatred’ in India, demands probe

Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, 88, on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said hatred was deeply rooted in today’s India, as he demanded “a thorough inquiry” into the failed attempt to kill him at a wedding function in Jammu on Wednesday (March 11) night by a local resident.

“Atmosphere we live in is filled with hate. The tragedy is that hate is deeply rooted in the country now. The space for those who talk about brotherhood, communal harmony and secularism is shrinking. No religion teaches to inflict harm on anyone,” said Mr. Abdullah.

Mr. Abdullah was speaking in Jammu for the first time since Kamal Singh, 64, a resident of Purani Mandi, aimed a pistol at him at a marriage ceremony at Royal Park, Greater Kailash, Jammu, and fired two shots. He demanded a “thorough inquiry into the incident”.

“I was leaving the wedding venue [on March 11evening]. I heard a cracker-like sound and felt heat on my neck. As I was shifted to my car, I was told a man fired two shots from his pistol. My security personnel timely intervened and destabilised the attacker. I have no words to express my gratitude to them. Allah saved my life,” said Mr. Abdullah.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Mr. Abdullah to inquire about his well-being. “He [Amit Shah] said the person has been arrested and that I will be updated about the case,” said Mr. Abdullah.

The three-time J&K Chief Minister, however, expressed concern over the security arrangements at the venue. “To say it was a security lapse would be an overstatement. However, given the vitiated atmosphere, the fact is that the police should have taken precautions. The function was attended by many VVIPs. There was no bandobast of police,” said Mr. Abdullah.

On the accused’s statement that he was “planning to kill him for the past 20 years”, Mr. Abdullah said, “I have never seen or met him. I don’t know the cause of his rivalry. I have been helpful to all.”

Assassination attempt on Farooq Abdullah foiled in Jammu

According to the police, the accused’s firearm, which was used in the crime, was recovered from his possession. He told the police that he had “personal motives” to kill Mr. Abdullah, without divulging any details. A resident of the old city of Jammu, the accused has no criminal record and owns shops. “Further investigation is ongoing,” the police said.

Cutting across the party lines, J&K leaders, including Mehbooba Mufti, Sajad Lone, M.Y. Tarigami, Tariq Hameed Karra, Sunil Sharma, Altaf Bukhari and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, condemned the attack and demanded a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, the NC leaders and legislators held a meeting at the party headquarters in Srinagar and “strongly condemned the incident”. The NC legislators, in a joint resolution, demanded “a high-level probe”. They urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to personally ensure a thorough investigation.