Jammu, Mar 12: A court here on Thursday remanded a man who made an assassination attempt on National Conference (NC) 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.
“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 opened fire at him from behind while he was leaving a marriage function at Greater Kailash on the outskirts of Jammu.
Meanwhile, officials said that Jamwal had acted alone and ruled out more arrests in the case.
The officials said Police have initiated a detailed probe into the antecedents of the accused to unravel the mystery behind the Wednesday night’s firing at a marriage function that sparked widespread condemnation across the country.
The Police have also registered a case under relevant sections of law including attempt to murder and firing a weapon against Jamwal, the officials said.
The Police are examining the 63-year-old 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, told Police that he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for the last 20 years without citing any reason for the grudge, the officials said.
According to the officials, the Police are examining all angles including 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.
The officials said security arrangements at the venue were being reviewed to determine how the accused managed to enter the function with a weapon.
Jamwal was reportedly accompanying the wedding procession to the venue, being a close relative of the groom’s family.
Abdullah was among the participants who turned up to bless the newly-wed couple on the invitation of a party colleague whose daughter was getting married.
According to the officials, Jamwal was initially associated with Jagran Manch, a socio-political group, and later joined Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party.
He had also unsuccessfully contested municipal elections from his ward.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal has condemned the attack on Abdullah, saying “such acts of violence are unacceptable and have no place in a democratic and civilised society”.
“Since the accused has been arrested, the authorities must ensure a thorough and transparent investigation so that the complete facts behind the attack come to light and strict action is taken in accordance with the law,” Sirwal said.
