Nine Killed in Devastating Blast at Nowgam Police Station During Forensic Probe

Explosion at Nowgam police station in Srinagar kills nine and wounds dozens

An explosion tore through Nowgam police station in Srinagar, the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir, late on Friday night, killing nine people and injuring 32. Forensic specialists, police officers and a magistrate were reportedly taking samples from explosive material seized in a separate investigation when the blast occurred.

The explosion ripped through the building and set parts of the compound and several vehicles alight. Authorities and witnesses said a series of smaller, successive blasts hampered immediate rescue efforts, delaying access for emergency teams.

Resident Manzoor Ahmad said the blast was "so powerful that our windowpanes were shattered and walls of the houses developed cracks." He described arriving at the scene as like "doomsday," witnessing smoke, fire and bodies, including other gruesome sights.

Nalin Prabhat, the director general of police for the region, confirmed nine fatalities and said most of the dead were police officers and forensic experts. Police said several of the 32 injured were in critical condition.

Evidence handling questioned

Officials said the explosives had been seized in an unrelated operation in Faridabad, near New Delhi, and were brought to Srinagar for forensic analysis. According to Mr Prabhat, the material was being stored in an open area at the Nowgam station and was being sampled when the incident occurred.

Mr Prabhat described the explosion as an "accidental detonation" during forensic sampling and ruled out foul play, while a technical inquiry was launched to determine the precise sequence of events and the cause. Nevertheless, the incident has raised sharp questions about evidence handling, storage and safety procedures when transporting and examining explosive materials.

Background: Delhi car blast and wider security response

The Srinagar blast came days after a deadly car explosion in New Delhi near the Red Fort that authorities have treated as a terror incident. Officials said the vehicle was laden with ammonium nitrate; investigators identified the driver as Dr Umar un Nabi Bhat, a 36-year-old internal medicine consultant who was reportedly wanted in a related probe.

Following the Delhi explosion, police arrested several alleged associates and detained dozens of people for questioning, including a number of doctors reportedly from Kashmir. Authorities said explosive material seized in a separate Faridabad operation was linked to ongoing investigations.

Controversy over punitive measures

In a separate operation police demolished Dr Bhat's family home in Kashmir, using controlled blasts after removing elderly and ill relatives from the property. Neighbouring houses were reportedly damaged during the operation. The demolition and a series of mass detentions have prompted criticism from politicians and rights advocates.

Aga Syed Ruhullah, a member of parliament, condemned the demolition as collective punishment, saying: "Demolishing a home won’t deliver ‘punishment’; it only inflicts collective suffering. Removing an entire family from their home without a court order or clear evidence is an act of cruelty." He urged authorities to pursue lawful investigations and hold the actual perpetrators accountable.

Authorities have said a detailed technical inquiry is under way to establish the cause of the Nowgam explosion and to review handling and storage procedures for seized explosive materials. The situation remains tense as investigations continue and relatives and officials await fuller answers.