Nine killed in Nowgam blast as Kashmir terror probe deemed an accident
Nine killed in Nowgam blast as Kashmir terror probe deemed an accident
A blast at Nowgam police station in Srinagar kills nine and injures 32 as investigators sample explosives; officials say it was an accident, not a terror attack.
A powerful blast struck the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar late Friday night, killing nine people and injuring 32 as investigators worked at the scene.
The explosion took place around 11:20 PM when a specialized team was extracting samples from a large and unstable cache of explosives seized in connection with an ongoing white-collar terror module investigation, which is linked to the Delhi Red Fort blast.
The blast severely damaged the police station and nearby structures, and small successive explosions hampered rescue efforts as responders rushed to evacuate the injured.
Casualties included three Forensic Science Laboratory personnel, two crime photographers, two revenue officials, one official from the State Investigation Agency, and one tailor tied to the sampling team. In addition, 27 police personnel, two revenue officials, and three civilians from adjacent areas were injured.
Senior officials said there is no indication the incident was a terror attack, stressing that it was an unfortunate accident. DGP Nalin Prabhat and a Ministry of Home Affairs official emphasized the ongoing investigation would determine the exact sequence of events.
The Chief Minister promised compensation for buildings damaged in the blast, underscoring the shock in the region and the need to support those affected while authorities review safety protocols during such sampling operations.
Cover image source: Nowgam blast: Why were explosives seized in Faridabad at Srinagar police station? 🔗
