The devastating explosion at the Nowgam police station on November 14, 2025, which resulted in nine fatalities and numerous injuries, could have been avoided if standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been followed, according to former officials and experts. The incident occurred while forensic and police teams were examining over 300 kg of unstable explosive materials seized during an investigation into a suspected terror module.
The blast has triggered widespread concern and scrutiny regarding the handling of explosive materials and the adherence to safety protocols. Political leaders have openly questioned why such a large quantity of explosives was permitted inside a police facility and why basic safety measures appeared to have been ignored.
According to preliminary investigations, excessive lighting used by the forensic team may have triggered the explosion. Officials believe the final boxes contained a liquid substance, likely a mixture of Acetophenone, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Sulphuric Acid. To examine the liquid closely, the lighting was intensified, potentially causing premature detonation. Acetone Peroxide can be created from Acetophenone, which is a dangerous and sensitive improvised explosive. The combination of chemicals and external heat from the lighting or fumes from the Sulphuric Acid may have caused the blast.
Experts, including former FSL director RL Dhar, assert that the incident was preventable, citing a failure to adhere to standard operating procedures as a significant oversight. Concerns have also been raised about the presence of non-technical personnel within the FSL.
The standard operating procedure for handling seized explosives dictates that the material should be immediately examined by the Bomb Detection Team (BDT) and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS). The explosives must be stored in licensed explosive magazines or an open, secure location with proper guarding and monitoring. Storing large quantities of explosives at police stations or residential installations should be avoided unless specifically designated for that purpose.
The victims of the Nowgam blast included three Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts, two revenue department officials, two police photographers, one State Investigation Agency inspector, and one civilian tailor assisting the investigative team. The deceased were identified as Ajaz Ahmad, Arshid Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Amin, Javid Mansoor Rather, Suhail Ahmad Rather, Muzaffar Ahmad Khan, Showkat Ahmad, Mohd Shafi Parray, and Asrar Ahmad Shah.
The Jammu & Kashmir government has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for those injured. Security has been tightened in the area, and a specialized investigation team has been appointed to assess structural damage and review safety protocols.
The Nowgam police station was at the center of an investigation into a terror module, which led to the recovery of over 350 kg of ammonium nitrate. The investigation stemmed from posters threatening police and security forces in Bunpora, Nowgam, in mid-October. The probe led to arrests in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, exposing the module.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ruled out any terror angle in the Nowgam blast, confirming it was an accident during forensic sampling. Joint Secretary Prashant Lokhande stated that the explosive material had been kept securely in an open area of the police station.
