Tragic Nowgam Police Station Explosion Claims Nine Lives Including Key Counter-Terrorism Investigators

Srinagar:

A devastating explosion inside Nowgam police station in Srinagar has transformed what was once a significant counter-terrorism achievement into a tragedy. Nine individuals, including a skilled police investigator and a magistrate, lost their lives in the blast that occurred late yesterday evening. Today, thousands gathered to pay their respects at the funeral ceremonies of the fallen policemen and magistrate across various locations in Kashmir.

While authorities have definitively ruled out any sabotage in what they describe as an accidental explosion, an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the powerful blast that shook the area.

According to sources, approximately 350 kg of ammonium nitrate explosives were stored in a room where investigators and forensic specialists were collecting samples in the presence of a magistrate.

The magistrate, a Naib Tehsildar, and the key investigator, Inspector Shah Asrar, were in close proximity to the explosives when the detonation occurred.

The explosion has not only destroyed critical evidence regarding explosives seized from radicalized doctors in Faridabad, Haryana, but has also claimed the lives of the principal investigators.

It has completely demolished the very police station that uncovered the sophisticated terror plot.

Nowgam police station had successfully exposed a Jaish-e-Mohammad conspiracy last month. This discovery led to the arrest of several doctors, including key suspects Dr. Adeel and Dr. Muzamil.

Based on their confessions, authorities initially recovered more than 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, which eventually led to the massive seizure of 2900 kg from Faridabad.

The repercussions of the Faridabad explosives seizure were evident in Sunday's blast near Delhi's Red Fort. Investigators now believe that the i20 driver panicked and triggered the explosion following the discovery of the substantial cache.

Given the scale of the terror conspiracy, the investigation was subsequently transferred to the National Investigation Agency. Samples of the confiscated explosive materials had been safely transported from Faridabad to Srinagar.

While a government-ordered investigation is expected to identify the cause behind the explosion, all individuals present in the room where the blast occurred have perished.

The explosion rocked Srinagar city with the blast audible from locations up to 30 km away. The police station has been reduced to rubble. Dozens of nearby homes have sustained damage. Law enforcement officials and families faced significant challenges in identifying the victims.