Political leaders condemn attack on ex-J&K CM

Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday condemned the attack on National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah in Jammu and demanded a thorough probe into the incident. Veteran parliamentarian and former Union Minister Dr Karan Singh met Dr Abdullah at his residence along with his family members.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said, “Shocked to hear about the grave attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab. Relieved to know that he’s safe and doing well.” “Hope the police get to the bottom of this very perturbing security lapse,” she added. The BJP also strongly condemned the attack on National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, saying “targeting political leaders through violence is unacceptable” and demanded a thorough probe into the incident. During a meeting of the BJP spokespersons in Jammu and Kashmir, the leaders discussed the incident and expressed serious concern over the attack, said Advocate Sunil Sethi, a party spokesperson.

Addressing the meeting, Sethi said violence has no place in a democratic society and political differences must be addressed through dialogue and constitutional means. “The BJP firmly opposes such acts and reiterates that the party does not support any activity that threatens peace and democratic functioning,” he said.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Kashmir, condemned the attack, saying the incident needs to be probed thoroughly.

“News about the (murderous) attempt on Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib’s life at a function in Jammu is concerning and condemnable,” Mirwaiz posted on his X handle. The religious leader called for a probe into how the assailant got so close to Abdullah with a loaded weapon. “Relieved to know that he escaped unhurt. That someone with a loaded weapon got so close and fired at him needs to be thoroughly probed,” he added. National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the attack on Abdullah.

Mehdi, the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, said such acts of violence are deeply concerning and emphasised that those responsible must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone, who is an MLA from the Handwara assembly seat, also condemned the firing incident. “Condemn the cowardly firing at Dr Farooq sahib, Surinder Choudhary Ji and Nasir Aslam sahib. Thanks to Allah Almighty that they are safe,” Lone posted on his X handle.

CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami termed the incident a serious security lapse.

“Strongly condemn the assassination bid on Farooq Abdullah Sahab. Fortunately, he escaped unhurt. The incident demands a thorough probe. It must be probed how an assailant carrying a loaded pistol managed to get so close to a serious security lapse,” he added.

In Jammu, leaders of the National Conference (NC) also staged a protest march against the attack on its president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, demanding a thorough probe into the incident and “restoration of law and order”.

Carrying NC flags and placards reading “Restore law and order” and “Probe the firing incident”, hundreds of workers and leaders began their protest march from the party headquarters, Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan, in Jammu.

Raising slogans such as “We want justice” and “Farooq Abdullah zindabad”, the protesters marched towards the city centre. The police stopped them at Raghunath Bazaar, leading to a brief jostling as security personnel prevented them from moving ahead.

Some protesters, however, managed to move towards City Chowk, where they staged a brief dharna before dispersing.