Kashmir: In one of the most tragic internal accidents witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, a powerful late-night explosion at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar claimed nine lives and injured 27 others. The blast occurred during the forensic examination of explosive materials seized from a major “white-collar” terror network currently under investigation.
According to officials, the explosion took place as teams were extracting samples from highly volatile chemicals recovered from a rented flat in Faridabad linked to arrested doctor Muzammil Ganaie. The cache — nearly 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sulphur, and other components — had been brought to the police station as part of the evidence collection process.
Most of the victims were police personnel and forensic experts who were directly handling the materials at the time of the incident. Nine bodies have been recovered and shifted to the Police Control Room for identification, while 27 people — including 24 policemen and three civilians — are undergoing treatment in various Srinagar hospitals.
The initial blast was followed by smaller explosions, slowing down rescue efforts and preventing the bomb disposal squad from entering the building immediately. The massive impact caused serious structural damage to the police station and shattered windows of nearby buildings and vehicles.
Emergency teams from J&K Police, Fire Services, and paramilitary units worked through the night to douse the flames and clear the area. By early morning, inspection and debris removal began, though officials warned of possible hidden hazards due to the volatile nature of the chemicals.
The explosives being examined are part of a larger terror conspiracy uncovered through detailed CCTV analysis, which led to the arrest of three suspects — Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid — all previously involved in stone-pelting cases.
