Nine Killed in Accidental Blast at Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar

Officials stressed that all necessary precautions had been in place, and the blast underscores the inherent risks of handling large volumes of explosives.

At least nine people lost their lives and 32 others were injured after a massive accidental explosion rocked the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, late on Friday night. Officials confirmed that it was not a terror attack but occurred when a forensic team was examining a large cache of seized explosives that were linked to a “white-collar terror module” case.

Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Nalin Prabhat stated that the explosives, recovered earlier from “Faridabad, Haryana”, were kept securely in the police station’s open area for further “forensic and chemical examination”. Due to the sensitive and unstable nature of the materials, the “Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team” was handling them with extreme caution. Unfortunately, around 11:20 pm, the explosives detonated accidentally, causing extensive damage to the police station and adjacent buildings.

One State Investigation Agency personnel, three FSL team members, two crime photographers, two revenue officials, and one tailor assisting the team lost their lives. The injured include 27 police personnel, two revenue officials, and three civilians from nearby areas. All were immediately taken to the nearest hospitals for treatment.

Authorities highlighted that this tragic incident is separate from Monday’s deadly car explosion in New Delhi, which killed at least 12 people and was classified as a terrorist act involving “Jaish-e-Muhammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind operatives”.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police are investigating the explosion’s precise cause, while the police force stands in solidarity with the families of the deceased. Officials stressed that all necessary precautions had been in place, and the blast underscores the inherent risks of handling large volumes of explosives.

This incident highlights the ongoing “security challenges in Kashmir”, where tensions remain high due to cross-border terrorism and internal threats. Authorities continue to enhance safety protocols while investigating white-collar terror networks operating in the region, emphasising vigilance and careful handling of explosive materials.