A devastating explosion at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, has resulted in at least nine fatalities and over 30 injuries. The blast, which occurred late Friday night, is being described as accidental, with authorities attributing it to the detonation of confiscated explosives.
According to Police Director-General Nalin Prabhat, the explosion took place while forensic and police personnel were examining the seized explosive material. The deceased include one member of the State Investigating Agency (SIA), three personnel from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, two crime scene photographers, two revenue officials who were part of the Magistrate's team, and a tailor associated with the team. In addition to the fatalities, 27 police personnel, two revenue officials, and three civilians sustained injuries and were immediately taken for medical care.
The intensity of the blast was immense, causing significant damage to the police station and surrounding areas. Some body parts were recovered from houses as far as 200 meters away from the station. The explosion also ignited a fire that engulfed the building and several vehicles. A series of smaller, successive explosions hampered initial rescue efforts. Houses adjacent to the police station also suffered damages and cracks.
The explosives in question had been seized during an investigation into a suspected militant cell operating in the region, days after a deadly car blast in New Delhi. A large quantity of bomb-making material had been recovered in Faridabad, near New Delhi. The seized explosives, approximately 360 kg, were transported to the Nowgam police station, where the initial investigation into the terror module had begun. According to Prabhat, the explosives were "kept securely in an open area" at the police station. Sample extraction was underway for forensic investigation when the accidental explosion occurred.
The incident has prompted a major internal review of handling protocols for explosive materials. Officials are reassessing every procedure to determine the cause of the accident. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has stated that the cause of the incident will be investigated, citing the highly unstable nature of the explosive material.
Political leaders have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended his sympathies and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti conveyed her condolences and highlighted the difficult working conditions faced by police personnel. The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and for those whose properties were damaged.
