India, March 12 -- Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday criticised the Union government over the attempt on former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah's life, calling it an illustration of failure to secure the region and demanding the restoration of its statehood.

Abdullah escaped unhurt in an attack on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday. The accused, Kamal Singh Jamwal, was overpowered after firing one shot.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge said that law and order is failing and there seem to be plans to "kill important leaders", triggering a sharp response.

Kharge attacked the Union government, which oversees security in Jammu and Kashmir, saying no lesson was learnt from last year's Pahalgam terror attack,...