Nine Killed, 32 Injured as Massive Blast Tears Through Nowgam Police Station; CCTV Captures High-Intensity Fireball

Srinagar, Nov 15, KNT: A devastating accidental explosion late Friday night inside the Nowgam Police Station left nine persons dead and thirty-two others injured, causing widespread destruction to the police station structure, parked vehicles and multiple adjacent homes. The blast, triggered during the handling of recovered explosive material linked to an ongoing investigation, sent shockwaves across the neighbourhood and plunged the area into panic and chaos.

The explosion occurred around 11.20 pm when technical teams of the Forensic Science Laboratory and the State Investigation Agency were conducting routine sampling of a large cache of volatile substances stored in the the police station. CCTV footage from the premises shows a sudden, massive flash followed by a fireball engulfing the compound, with shockwaves strong enough to send stray dogs sprinting for cover. The footage also recorded the force of the blast ripping through the walls, shattering windows and overturning objects several metres away.

Within minutes, senior officers and rescue teams as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust, reached the site. Fire tenders battled flames rising from the debris while police and locals worked together to pull out the injured. Belongings of those present at the scene, shoes, documents, mobile phones and personal items, were scattered across the courtyard, indicating the sheer intensity of the explosion. Several vehicles parked inside the station were charred or mangled, and the main building suffered extensive structural damage.

Residents living near the police station said the blast shook their homes like an earthquake. Windowpanes shattered, doors flew open and cracks appeared in walls and ceilings. “Our houses shook violently. We thought something had collapsed on the road,” said a local who rushed out after hearing loud wailing from the police station compound. Many villagers, alarmed by the cries for help, ran toward the station before police sealed the area to allow emergency teams to operate and stop the gathering of distressed relatives.

Authorities later confirmed the identities of all nine deceased. They include Javaid Ahmad Rather alias Mubashir, a Crime Branch cameraman from Hari Parigam Tral; tailor Muhammad Shafi Parray; Naib Tehsildar Muzaffar Ahmad Khan of Soibugh; Inspector Israr Ahmad Shah of Drugmulla, Kupwara, posted with the SIA; chowkidar of the area, Suhail Ahmad Rather; Crime Branch photographer Arshid Ahmad Shah; and three FSL personnel, Selection Grade Constable Aijaz Afzal Mir, Constable Mohammad Amin Mir, and Constable Showkat Ahmad Bhat.

Dozens of injured persons, including police officials, revenue staff and civilians from the neighbourhood, were shifted to hospitals.

A formal investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact sequence of events and circumstances that led to the fatal detonation. Meanwhile, authorities continue to assess the financial losses caused to nearby households and structures. [KNT]