A powerful accidental explosion at the Nowgam police station near Srinagar late Friday night left nine people dead and 29 injured. The blast occurred while police and forensic experts were extracting samples from a large cache of explosives tied to a “white-collar” terror module case from Faridabad, Haryana.
CCTV footage captured the sudden blast, showing thick smoke and flames engulfing the police station. The impact scattered debris up to 300 metres, and residents nearly 15 kilometres away reported feeling the tremors. Several vehicles at the site were also destroyed in the fire.
The Nowgam police have been investigating a case linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit, making the handling of the seized explosives critical to the probe. Officials said the materials were being managed with caution before the accident.
Emergency teams rushed to the spot to control the fire and assist the injured, who were quickly shifted to nearby hospitals. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the blast, with early reports indicating an accidental trigger during evidence handling.
The incident has shaken the local community and highlighted the dangers faced by security personnel while dealing with high-risk materials. The police station has been sealed, and security has been tightened across the region as inquiries continue.
