After attack attempt, Farooq Abdullah says ‘killer always has advantage’; asks Centre to review J&K security

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that even the strongest security arrangements cannot fully eliminate threats, reacting to an alleged attempt to attack him on Wednesday. “No matter how much security you increase, the killer always has an advantage,” he said, adding that terrorism today has taken new forms that are difficult to control.

The remarks come amid political debate over the incident, which the Centre has described as a serious matter. Union Minister JP Nadda told the Rajya Sabha that the government was treating the attack attempt on the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister with utmost concern and that authorities had launched a detailed investigation.

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Abdullah said the episode should prompt both the Central government and the Union Territory administration to reassess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. “They should examine whether things here have truly improved,” he said, stressing that political disagreements should not prevent cooperation in a democracy.

He also raised the question of powers available to the elected government in the Union Territory. “We may have different views, but we must work together. An elected government without powers cannot continue indefinitely,” Abdullah said, recalling earlier assurances that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir.

Centre promises probe, political sparring in Parliament

In Parliament, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge cited reports of the attack and questioned the security environment in the region. He suggested that the absence of statehood had weakened local administrative arrangements.

Responding to the concerns, Union Minister JP Nadda said the incident involving the senior leader was “extremely serious” and assured the House that a comprehensive probe was underway. All angles related to the attack would be examined, he said.

At the same time, Nadda criticised attempts to link the incident with the restoration of statehood, urging opposition parties not to politicise the issue.

The alleged attack took place during a private event in Jammu on Wednesday evening when Abdullah and other leaders were leaving the venue. According to officials, a suspect identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal fired shots but was quickly restrained by security personnel and taken into custody.

Senior police officers reached the spot soon after and began an investigation to determine the motive and how the accused managed to get close to the venue.

Separately, Abdullah also called on the Central government to use its influence internationally to push for an end to ongoing conflicts abroad. “The government should tell both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu to stop this war,” he said.