Jammu, Mar 12: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said he was “saved by God” after an armed man allegedly tried to shoot at him during a wedding function in Jammu a day earlier.
Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, escaped unhurt in the incident.
Speaking to reporters here, Abdullah said he did not know the attacker and had no personal dispute with him.
“I do not know who this man is. He has claimed that he had been waiting for 20 years and had some personal grievance, but I have no idea about his motive. I have never tried to harm anyone,” he said.
Abdullah said he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for firecrackers during the function.
“I suddenly felt heat but did not realise that a shot had been fired. My security personnel quickly moved me into the car and then told me that the man had fired two rounds from a revolver,” he said.
The National Conference leader also questioned the security arrangements at the venue, saying there was no visible police deployment despite the presence of several prominent people.
“To say there was a security lapse may be a strong statement, but there was no police arrangement there. Many high-profile people had attended the event, so some security should have been present,” he said.
Abdullah thanked his security personnel for acting swiftly during the incident.
“I thank Allah that my security personnel were there. Our ministers and MLAs also gave me courage at that time,” he said.
He added that he had received a call from Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the incident, who assured him that a detailed investigation would be conducted.(KNS).
