Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu

Jammu, Mar 12: Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, and Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, escaped unhurt after a gunman opened fire outside a marriage hall on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday night, officials said.

The accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi, was overpowered by security personnel at the spot and later taken away for questioning.

Officials said the incident occurred in the upscale Greater Kailash area when Abdullah and Choudhary were stepping out after attending a marriage function.

According to officials, Jamwal, who is in his 70s, was waiting outside the venue and allegedly attempted to fire at Abdullah. However, two police personnel — an inspector and a sub-inspector — quickly intervened and overpowered him. During the scuffle, the accused managed to fire one round before being disarmed and taken into custody.

No injuries were reported in the incident, officials said, adding that the accused was allegedly in an inebriated condition at the time of the attack.

Abdullah and Choudhary had attended the function to greet party leader B S Chouhan on the occasion of his son’s wedding, officials added.