SIT Formed to Probe Attempt on Farooq Abdullah’s Life; Police Examine Motive Behind Long-Standing Grudge
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have constituted a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an intensive probe into the recent attempt on the life of veteran political leader and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah.
The order establishing the special investigation panel was issued by Bhim Sen Tuti.
According to the directive, the SIT will be headed by Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Sharma and will function under the overall supervision of Deputy Inspector General Shiv Kumar Sharma.
The investigation team also includes senior police officers Shad Hussain Rather, Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Jammu; Arvind Kumar Sambyal, Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Range Police Headquarters; Inspector Saroop Singh of RPHQ Jammu; Inspector Sanjeev Chib, Station House Officer of Gangyal police station; and Inspectors Paramjeet Singh and Shariq Majeed.
The order instructs the team to carry out a comprehensive and time-bound investigation, ensuring that all procedural and legal requirements are followed while establishing the full sequence of events and the motive behind the attack.
Suspect Arrested After Firing Incident
Police have already taken into custody a 63-year-old man identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of the Purani Mandi locality of Jammu.
According to investigators, Jamwal allegedly opened fire at Abdullah during a public event, triggering immediate intervention by security personnel present at the scene.
The veteran political leader escaped unharmed after his security detail quickly restrained the assailant. A firearm believed to have been used in the attack was recovered from the suspect.
During initial questioning, the accused reportedly told investigators that he had been harbouring resentment against Abdullah for nearly two decades and had been waiting for an opportunity to target him.
He allegedly claimed that he blamed the National Conference leader for developments in the region that he believed had contributed to militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
A local court has granted the police five days of custodial remand to interrogate the accused further and reconstruct the events leading up to the attack.
Investigators Examining Motive and Background
Police officials said the SIT will thoroughly examine whether the alleged hostility toward Abdullah stemmed solely from political grievances or if other factors — personal, ideological, or organisational — were involved.
Investigators are analysing the suspect’s personal history, financial activities, social associations, and communications in order to determine whether he acted independently or had any assistance from others.
Preliminary inquiries suggest that Jamwal has been living in Jammu for many years and has maintained a relatively low public profile.
Authorities are now trying to establish how he acquired the weapon used in the incident and whether he had been planning the attack for an extended period.
Security Questions Under Review
The firing incident has also prompted questions about the security arrangements surrounding senior political leaders in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Farooq Abdullah, who has been an influential political figure for decades and served multiple terms as chief minister, has long been provided security cover due to the volatile political and security environment in the region.
Although there have been periodic threats directed at political figures in Jammu and Kashmir, confirmed attempts on Abdullah’s life have been rare.
Security analysts note that senior leaders in the region typically move under strict protection because of the complex political landscape and the presence of militant groups in the past.
Authorities are now reviewing the circumstances under which the attacker managed to approach the former chief minister and whether additional safeguards are required during public gatherings and private events attended by high-profile leaders.
SIT to Reconstruct Sequence of Events
The Special Investigation Team will examine CCTV recordings from the venue, statements from eyewitnesses, ballistic reports on the weapon used, and the suspect’s movements before the incident.
Officials say the aim of the investigation is not only to establish the motive behind the attack but also to determine whether any lapses occurred in the security framework protecting the former chief minister.
The probe is expected to produce a detailed report outlining the planning, execution, and possible motivations behind the attempted attack.
Political Reactions and Broader Concerns
The incident has triggered concern across political circles in Jammu and Kashmir, where leaders have emphasised the need to maintain peace and ensure that political differences do not escalate into violence.
Observers say the episode highlights the continuing sensitivity of politics in the region, where decades of conflict and ideological divisions have sometimes created intense hostility toward prominent political figures.
As the SIT begins its investigation, authorities hope that a thorough inquiry will shed light on the attacker’s motives and reinforce security measures designed to protect public representatives.
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