Miraculous escape for Omar as vehicle catches fire

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had a miraculous escape Tuesday night when the engine of his official vehicle caught fire filling the entire jeep with smoke.

Highly-placed sources said the incident took place at Sambha, 40 km from here, late last night when Omar was returning from Kathua after attending a function.

The sources said smoke came out of the engine of the vehicle, a bullet proof jeep, followed by fire that was extinguished immediately. The only saving grace was that the central locking system of the vehicle did not jam, which happens in case of fire, an official said.

The Special Security Guard, protecting the Chief Minister, had rushed towards the vehicle but Omar and his driver had come out of it, the sources said, adding the state government was now going to take up the matter with the manufacturer.

A thorough inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the sources added.