A tragic explosion at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, late on Friday night has resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left 29 others injured. The incident occurred while police and forensic teams were sampling explosives linked to a recent investigation into a ‘white-collar’ terror module from Faridabad, Haryana.

The blast, which took place around midnight, was so powerful that it shattered windows in nearby buildings and was heard up to 15 kilometres away. Eyewitness accounts describe a sudden eruption, with thick smoke and flames engulfing the police station. Several vehicles parked at the site caught fire due to the explosion.

Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, battling the flames and transporting the injured to various hospitals, including the Army’s base hospital in Badami Bagh. Among the deceased are a Naib Tehsildar (Executive Magistrate) and a local tailor. Some bodies were severely burned, complicating identification efforts.

The explosives involved in the blast were part of a larger cache of 2,900 kg seized during a police operation targeting a terror group, Jaish-e-Mohammed. This operation led to the arrest of Dr. Muzammil Ganaie and Dr. Adil Rather, while a third accomplice, Dr. Umar Nabi, was killed in a separate incident.

Authorities have stated that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion, which is currently believed to be accidental. The police station remains cordoned off as security measures are heightened across the region to ensure public safety. Local officials have expressed their condolences and emphasized the need for improved safety protocols when handling hazardous materials in future operations.