Farooq Abdullah Says He Holds No Malice After Assassination Attempt, Praises Security Personnel

Jammu, March 2026 : Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday issued his first response following the failed assassination attempt against him, saying he has never harboured ill will towards anyone and remains puzzled about the motives behind the attack.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Bhatindi in Jammu, the veteran leader said he has always maintained an open-door approach towards the public and never treated anyone with hostility.

“I have never harboured malice towards anyone. My doors are always open for everyone. People come to meet me, I listen to them and try to help them in whatever way possible. Even during my tenure as chief minister, I never harmed anyone,” he said.

Dr Abdullah also revealed that Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister of India, had called him on Wednesday evening after the incident to inquire about his well-being.

“He asked how I was. I told him that by the grace of Allah I am fine. He informed me that the assailant has been arrested and assured me that the authorities would soon uncover the truth behind the attack. I thanked him for his concern,” Abdullah said.

The former chief minister declined to speculate on whether the attack was part of a larger conspiracy. He said it would be up to investigators to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident.

“How do I know if it was a conspiracy? It is for the investigators to find out. As far as I am concerned, I do not know the assailant and do not remember ever seeing him before,” he said.

Abdullah added that he only saw the photograph of the accused for the first time on a mobile phone after the incident occurred.

He also expressed deep appreciation for the prompt response of security personnel, including officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and commandos of the National Security Guard, who prevented the attack from causing serious harm.

“I am grateful to the J&K Police security personnel and the NSG commandos deployed for my protection. When the incident happened, I suddenly felt something hot on the back of my neck,” he recalled.

Abdullah said that initially he mistook the sound of gunfire for firecrackers.

“I heard a sound which I thought was a firecracker. The security personnel immediately overpowered the attacker. While they pushed his arm away, the shot fired from his pistol went into the air,” he said.

He was quickly escorted to his vehicle and taken away from the venue. Later, he was informed that two shots had been fired during the incident.

The attempted attack occurred at a wedding function attended by several prominent individuals. Abdullah pointed out that there was no visible local police arrangement at the venue despite the presence of many high-profile guests.

Reflecting on the broader security situation, the veteran politician said incidents like this were linked to rising terrorism in the region and urged authorities not to claim prematurely that normalcy had fully returned to Jammu and Kashmir.

“These incidents are the result of terrorism, which seems to be rising again. I request the Central government and the Lieutenant Governor not to repeatedly say that everything has returned to normal in Jammu and Kashmir. The reality is that people are still not able to move freely,” he said.

When asked whether the attack might have been prevented if Jammu and Kashmir had regained full statehood, Abdullah said he would not make that direct connection but questioned the current status of governance in the region.

“There is an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, but it does not have real power. Where is the statehood? It was promised in Parliament and even mentioned before the Supreme Court, yet years have passed and we still do not have it,” he said.

Abdullah emphasised that India remains a democratic country where people must respect differing viewpoints.

“I may not like what they say, and they may not like what I say, but we must coexist. That is the spirit of our democracy,” he said, adding that the space for dissent in the country appears to be shrinking.

Commenting on the Supreme Court of India granting bail to separatist leader Shabir Shah, Abdullah welcomed the development.

“I greet him on his bail. In fact, all of them should be released and asked to work together for peace and the welfare of the country,” he said.