New Delhi, March 12 -- Farooq Abdullah, president of the National Conference and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has issued his first public statement following the attempt on his life, describing the moment with a composure that belied the gravity of what had unfolded around him.

"I was walking out of the venue, when I heard the sound of a firecracker. Immediately, I was rushed into a car. Later, I was told that there was a man with a pistol who had fired two shots. Neither do I know this man (the accused), nor do I have any information about him," Abdullah said.

The attack occurred on Wednesday night as Abdullah was departing a wedding function in Jammu. Officials said a gunman approached from behind and opened fire. The a...