Nowgam blast at Srinagar police station echoes 1998 Chennai bomb scare
Nowgam blast at Srinagar police station echoes 1998 Chennai bomb scare
Nine dead and 32 injured after seized explosives exploded inside a Srinagar police station on Children’s Day; investigators say it appears to be an accidental blast.
On Children’s Day, a powerful blast tore through Nowgam police station in Srinagar after explosives seized during a crackdown detonated inside the facility. Nine people were killed and 32 others were injured, according to early casualty reports. Emergency teams rushed to the scene as first responders scrambled to secure the area and transport the wounded to hospital.
Investigators described the incident as an accidental explosion linked to seized material. Officials said the investigation will examine custody, storage, and handling procedures to determine how the blast occurred and whether security protocols were followed.
The tragedy conjures a recall of a near-miss in Tamil Nadu in 1998, when a police constable moved a suspicious bag into a Chennai police station and the 'tiffin box bomb' — packed with gelatine, a timer, and detonator — failed to explode due to a faulty timer, averting disaster near a busy bus terminus.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene with smoke and flames as hospital guards and staff rushed wounded officers to Ujala Cygnus Hospital. The swift actions of the medical team and on-site responders were hailed as crucial in saving lives during a mass-casualty incident.
Officials urged caution before conclusions, emphasizing that a full inquiry would probe the origin of the explosives and the chain of custody. Residents remain on edge as authorities work to restore safety and reassure the public.
Cover image source: When a policeman casually took a powerful bomb inside police station in Chennai 🔗
