Assassination attempt on Dr Farooq: J&K Police constitute 7-member SIT to probe attack

Srinagar, Mar 14: Jammu and Kashmir Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly probe recent assassination attempt on former Chief Minister and National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah in Jammu.
According to the details available, the SIT, comprising seven officers including one of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), has been formed under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Jammu–Samba–Kathua (JSK) Range.
The team has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation and submitting its findings at the earliest.
An order, a copy of which lies with KNO, reads: “On 11.03.2026, Shri Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, was attending a marriage ceremony at Royal Park Banquet Hall, Greater Kailash, Jammu. At about 2210 hours, while the protectee was leaving the venue, an individual flashed a revolver and attempted to open fire from close range. However, owing to the prompt action of the police personnel deployed with the protectee, the attempt was foiled. In this regard, a case FIR No. 29/2026 under Section 109 of the BNS and Section 3/25 of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Gangyal, Jammu.”
It added that considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising the following members under the supervision of the DIG, JSK Range, has been constituted to conduct a thorough investigation.
The SIT members include SSP Sanjay Sharma, SP Headquarters Irshad Hussain Rather, DySP Arvind Kumar Sambyal, Inspector Saroop Singh, Inspector Paramjeet Singh, Inspector Sanjeev Chib (SHO Gangyal) and Inspector Shariq Majeed.
The order further states that the SIT must complete the investigation promptly and thoroughly while adhering to the statutory timeframe.
Pertinently, the assassination attempt took place earlier this week when Abdullah was attending a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu. As he was leaving the venue, a man approached him and allegedly attempted to fire from close range using a pistol. However, the attempt was foiled as security personnel reacted swiftly and overpowered the attacker. The former chief minister escaped unhurt due to the quick response of his security staff and commandos present at the venue.
Police identified the accused as a 63-year-old man from Jammu, who was immediately taken into custody following the incident. During preliminary questioning, the accused claimed that he had been harbouring a personal grudge against Abdullah for many years and had been planning the attack for a long time.
They added that the weapon used in the attack was reportedly a licensed firearm. (KNO)