Jammu: A court here on Thursday remanded a man who allegedly made an assassination attempt on National Conference president Farooq Abdullah to five-day police custody for questioning.
The 63-year-old accused, Kamal Singh Jamwal, was produced in the city court amid tight security.
Police sought his custody, stating that further interrogation was necessary to ascertain the motive behind the attack and to verify whether the accused had any links with any organisation or individual.
The court, after hearing both sides, allowed five days’ police remand and also asked the police to ensure proper medical checkups of the accused every 24 hours.
Earlier, Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi, was taken to the hospital where he underwent a medical checkup.
“I have not done this at the behest of anyone. I have fired at him,” he told reporters.
Abdullah had a narrow escape on Wednesday night when the accused allegedly opened fire at him from behind while he was leaving a marriage function at Greater Kailash on the outskirts of Jammu.
Meanwhile, the police have initiated a detailed probe into the antecedents of Jamwal, officials said on Thursday.
Police are examining Jamwal’s background, including his personal, social and possible organisational links, to ascertain the motive behind the firing incident, they said.
Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, reportedly told police that he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for the last 20 years. Officials said police are also examining his recent activities and movements before the attack.
Senior police officers are currently questioning Jamwal, who told investigators that he earns his livelihood from rent generated by his shops.
Officials said security arrangements at the venue are being reviewed to determine how the accused managed to enter the function with a weapon.
It may be recalled that National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah had a miraculous escape when a gunman opened fire on him after coming from behind while Abdullah was leaving a marriage function here on Wednesday night.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, were accompanying Abdullah when the incident occurred.
The accused has been identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, son of Ajit Singh, and a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, who told police that he was waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for the last 20 years.
CCTV camera footage showed the gunman approaching Abdullah from behind and firing a shot at him from very close range.
The accused, who was overpowered by two officers of the security wing of the J&K Police, an inspector and a sub-inspector, was found in an inebriated state, officials said.
