The Nowgam Police Station explosion in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, has claimed nine lives and left 29 others injured, marking one of the most serious accidental blasts in recent years involving confiscated explosive material. Officials have confirmed that the incident was not a terror attack, and clarified that certain Pakistan based groups claiming responsibility are attempting to exploit the tragedy for propaganda purposes.
The Nowgam Police Station explosion occurred late on Friday when a joint team of policemen and forensic experts was examining explosive material stored inside the premises. The explosive load, recently transported from Faridabad in Haryana, was part of ongoing investigations into a terror linked network exposed by the Nowgam Police Station earlier this year.
Explosives Being Examined When Blast Occurred
Initial reports & inputs from NDTV indicate that the massive stock of confiscated materials went off accidentally during handling. Most of the deceased include local police officers and forensic specialists who were conducting examination procedures. Two officials from the Srinagar district administration also lost their lives in the blast.
The injured were immediately shifted to Indian Army’s 92 Base Hospital and the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) for treatment. Senior officers from Jammu and Kashmir Police quickly reached the site, and the entire area was sealed for safety and evidence collection.
Authorities investigating the Nowgam Police Station explosion have emphasised that there is no evidence of an intentional attack. The stored explosives were linked to a larger terror case under investigation, making proper handling crucial. A technical fault or mishandling during examination is suspected, though a detailed forensic review is underway.
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Linked to Crackdown on Jaish-e-Mohammed Poster Module
The Nowgam Police Station had recently played a significant role in unearthing a sophisticated terror module associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed. This network had placed threatening posters across parts of Srinagar, warning of attacks on security forces and civilians. Investigations led to the arrest of radicalised professionals, including doctors working in well known institutions.
One of the first arrests was that of Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather, who was captured after CCTV footage identified him putting up the posters. His arrest revealed a larger “white collar terror ecosystem” involving highly educated individuals. Notably, an assault rifle was recovered from his locker at the Government Medical College in Anantnag.
Further inquiry pointed to another doctor, Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, working in Faridabad. A joint search operation by J&K and Haryana Police led to the recovery of nearly 3,000 kg of ammonium nitrate, adding significant urgency to the investigation. His arrest triggered the capture of Dr. Shaheen Saeed, also linked to the same university.
Connection to the Recent Delhi Car Blast
Days before the Nowgam Police Station explosion, a tragic blast near Delhi’s Red Fort killed 13 people. Investigators now believe that one of the suspects, Dr. Umar Nabi, was driving the vehicle involved in the explosion. The recovery of bomb making chemicals in Faridabad may have pushed the suspects into panic, prompting a rushed relocation and the improper assembly of the IED used in Delhi.
Sources from the National Investigation Agency suggest the device was not armed for maximum impact, indicating hurried execution rather than a sophisticated plan.
Officials Urge Public to Ignore False Claims
Authorities have reiterated that the Nowgam Police Station explosion must not be misinterpreted as an act of terror. They have urged the public to disregard online claims from Pakistan based organisations attempting to take credit for what was clearly an accidental blast.
As investigations continue, officials are reviewing safety protocols related to handling confiscated explosives to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Stay tuned with The News Drill for more updates.
