Jammu , April 27, 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday strongly condemned the recent shooting incident in Washington, where US President Donald Trump was present, expressing relief that he remained unharmed.
Reacting to the incident, Abdullah said, “Thank God he survived. I did not want anything to happen to him,” while emphasizing that violence must never be a tool in political discourse.
The incident occurred during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel, where a вооружённый (armed) individual opened fire outside the ballroom. Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other officials, was safely evacuated.
Calling politics “a very dirty thing,” Abdullah stressed that disagreements should always be resolved through democratic and verbal means, not violence. He added that such life-threatening attacks are unacceptable under any circumstances.
Drawing from Jammu and Kashmir’s own history, Abdullah highlighted the heavy toll of political violence in the region over the past three decades, where leaders and workers across party lines have fallen victim to terrorism.
On the international front, he also advocated strongly for lasting peace in West Asia, urging continued dialogue—even through alternative channels—amid rising tensions involving Iran. “Peace must prevail, and efforts should continue to restore stability in the region,” he said.
Abdullah also noted the recent cancellation of US envoy-level talks in Pakistan concerning Iran, stressing that communication, even if indirect, remains essential to de-escalation.
