9 Dead, 32 Injured in Accidental Blast at Nowgam Police Station; Probe Underway: MHA

New Delhi: At least nine people were killed and 32 others injured in a “massive accidental explosion” at the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Saturday.

Briefing the media, Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary, MHA, said the cause of the blast is under investigation, urging the public to avoid unnecessary speculation.

According to officials, the explosion occurred around 11:20 pm on November 14 while police were processing a large cache of explosive materials and chemicals recovered during a recent terror-module investigation. The seized items had been stored in an open, secured area within the police station premises and were being examined as part of prescribed forensic and chemical procedures, Lokhande said.

Due to the voluminous, unstable, and highly sensitive nature of the recovered explosives, the examination work had been ongoing for the past two days under expert supervision. During this process, an accidental detonation took place, resulting in casualties that included 27 police personnel, two revenue officials, and three civilians, the official confirmed.

The blast caused severe damage to the police station and impacted several nearby buildings. Lokhande reiterated that investigators are working to determine the precise cause while dismissing any premature theories about the incident.

Further details are awaited as the probe continues. (Agencies)