Nowgam Blast Accidental, No Sabotage Involved, Says J-K DGP after Investigation

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat confirmed on Saturday that the devastating explosion at Nowgam police station in Srinagar, which claimed nine lives and injured 32 others, was entirely accidental, stemming from the handling of sensitive explosives recovered in a terror investigation. The incident, which occurred around 11:20 pm on Friday, shattered the station's structure and damaged nearby buildings, prompting an immediate inquiry to assess the full extent of the destruction. Prabhat emphasised that no evidence points to sabotage, dispelling early speculations amid the region's volatile security landscape. The blast underscores the inherent risks faced by law enforcement in managing high-stakes evidence, particularly in cases involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) linked to militant networks.

The explosives in question were seized as part of the ongoing probe into the "white-collar terror module", a sophisticated operation allegedly involving educated professionals in financing and logistics for insurgent activities across Jammu and Kashmir. Transported securely from Faridabad in Haryana to the Nowgam facility, the materials were stored in an open area per standard protocols before samples were prepared for forensic analysis. A joint team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), State Investigation Agency (SIA), and supporting staff had been meticulously sampling the voluminous recovery over the previous two days, given its unstable composition. Prabhat noted that the process demanded extreme caution due to the volatile nature of the substances, but an unforeseen mishap during this routine procedure triggered the detonation, highlighting the challenges of evidence preservation in counter-terrorism efforts.

Among the fatalities were one SIA personnel, three FSL experts, two crime scene photographers, two revenue officials from the magistrate's oversight team, and a tailor assisting the group—individuals whose roles, though varied, were united in service to justice. The injured comprised 27 police officers, two additional revenue staff, and three civilians from adjacent residences, all promptly evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment. Prabhat expressed profound solidarity with the bereaved families, acknowledging the profound loss in a statement laced with grief. This tragedy adds to a sombre tally of operational hazards in the Union Territory, where security forces have intensified crackdowns on hybrid terror threats since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, blending digital surveillance with physical seizures to dismantle urban-based modules.

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As investigations continue to probe the precise trigger of the accident, authorities are reviewing handling procedures to prevent recurrences, potentially leading to enhanced training and equipment upgrades for forensic teams. The Nowgam blast serves as a stark reminder of the human cost embedded in India's fight against terrorism, where routine duties can turn perilous without warning. With the region bracing for winter's chill and its attendant security flux, Prabhat's assurance of thorough inquiry aims to restore public confidence while honouring the fallen through resilient resolve. In the broader context, such incidents fuel calls for specialised facilities to safely manage explosive recoveries, ensuring that the pursuit of peace does not exact further tolls on those safeguarding it.

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