Massive Explosion at Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar

A massive and tragic explosion ripped through the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, late Thursday night, causing widespread devastation, killing at least 9 people and injuring over 29 others. What was assumed by many as a terror attack was later confirmed by authorities to be an accidental blast triggered by explosives stored inside the police station.

The Nowgam station had recently been at the center of a major anti-terror investigation connected to a “white-collar terror module” and the Delhi-Faridabad blast case. The explosion has shaken Kashmir’s security establishment and raised critical questions regarding the handling and storage of seized explosives.

What Exactly Happened? Initial Reports vs Official Confirmation

Initial Chaos

Minutes after the explosion, visuals shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed the entire police station reduced to rubble — walls collapsed, metal twisted, debris scattered several hundred meters away. Eyewitnesses reported a loud boom that “shook houses like an earthquake.”

Official Word: “Accidental Blast”

J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat confirmed that the incident was not a terror attack, but an accidental explosion while handling seized ammonium nitrate and other explosive materials.

“Any other speculation is unnecessary. It was an accidental blast,” the DGP said.

The explosives were seized recently from a Faridabad-based doctor linked to a suspected terror module connected with the Delhi blast probe.

Death Toll & Injuries

Confirmed Dead (9 persons)

The victims include a mix of officials involved in forensic, investigative, and documentation roles:

• 1 SIA officer

• 3 FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) experts

• 2 photographers

• 2 revenue officials

• 1 tailor

Injured: 27+ people

Among them:

• 3 civilians

• Several police personnel

• Investigation team members

The severity of injuries ranges from fractures and burns to blast trauma. Many remain hospitalized.

How the Blast Occurred: A Technical Breakdown

Stored Material Involved

Investigators revealed that the police station was storing seized ammonium nitrate, detonators, and other materials collected during raids linked to:

• Faridabad terror module

• Delhi blast investigation

• Jaish-backed network exposed recently by J&K Police

The blast occurred during the handling and sampling process, a standard procedure when dealing with evidence. A small ignition apparently triggered a chain reaction involving the stored material.

Impact Radius

• Blast force hurled debris 300 meters away

• Entire police station structure collapsed

• Nearby buildings sustained cracks

• Vehicles parked outside were destroyed

• CCTV footage captures the exact moment the material exploded

Scenes from the Ground: What Eyewitnesses Saw

Journalists and bystanders on X posted shocking visuals:

• The police station completely flattened

• Smoke rising across the locality

• Dead bodies lying far from the blast point

• Rescue teams, SDRF personnel working through rubble

• Forensic investigators collecting DNA samples

A resident told local reporters:
“The blast was so loud, we thought a bomb was dropped from the sky. Windows shattered across our neighborhood.”

Political & Administrative Reactions

Statements

• Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh expressed grief.

• Kejriwal questioned security lapses.

• Political parties demanded accountability on storage guidelines.

Police Appeal

“Do not speculate,” J&K Police advised the public to avoid misinformation about a terror link.

Why Were Explosives Stored at Nowgam PS?

Connection to Delhi–Faridabad Terror Module

The seized material was linked to investigations into:

• A recent car blast in Delhi

• Operations involving ammonium nitrate

• A network allegedly backed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operatives using white-collar proxies

Nowgam PS played a key role in cracking this module. Evidence was still being examined by FSL teams.

What Happens Next? Key Areas of Investigation

Authorities are now probing:

1. Storage Protocol Failure

• Were guidelines on storing ammonium nitrate followed?

• Was there proper ventilation?

• Was the material too sensitive to handle indoors?

2. Handling Procedures

• Was the team trained in explosive sampling?

• Were safety kits and blast-proof chambers available?

3. Structural Concerns

• Should evidence rooms be located near operational police stations at all?

4. Chain-of-Custody Impact

A huge concern is that the Delhi car blast evidence may now be compromised.

ABP reported:
“Majority of the Delhi blast case evidence destroyed.”

This may force investigators to reconstruct the case from secondary data.

Voices from the Security Community

The tragedy has sparked discussions among security experts:

• Explosives should never be stored in regular police stations.

• Dedicated explosive-handling facilities are required.

• Coordination between FSL, SIA, and ATS teams needs reinforcement.

The Bigger Picture: Kashmir’s Security Challenges

The Nowgam blast comes just days after another major explosion reported in India. It highlights:

• Rising challenges in handling high-grade explosives

• Increasing use of “white collar networks” to transport materials

• The risk frontline officers face daily

Despite being an accident, the blast reflects the complexities of counterterror operations in Kashmir.

Final Word

The Nowgam Police Station explosion is one of the deadliest accidental blasts in recent memory in Jammu & Kashmir. While the loss is irreparable, the incident is also a crucial lesson for India’s security ecosystem. As investigators work to determine the exact trigger, the focus must now shift to strengthening protocols, improving storage infrastructure, and ensuring maximum safety for officers.

A tragedy of this scale demands not just grief and condolences — but a complete overhaul of explosive-handling standards across the country.