Srinagar: A powerful late night explosion at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar killed six people and injured twenty seven others on Friday while officers were examining explosive materials brought from Faridabad. The blast happened around 11.20 pm inside the building where police and forensic teams were handling samples from a major terror related seizure made earlier in Haryana.
Officials said the explosives were part of a large haul recovered from a rented house in Faridabad linked to an arrested doctor, Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie. The seizure included around three hundred and sixty kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate and other chemicals such as potassium nitrate and sulphur. Investigators believe the case is connected to a wider white collar terror network involving professionals from medical and academic backgrounds.
The explosion shook nearby areas and damaged a large portion of the police station. Smaller blasts continued for some time, delaying rescue teams and bomb disposal squads from reaching the spot. Among the injured were twenty four police personnel and three civilians. They were shifted to hospitals in Srinagar, where several are still in serious condition.
Senior officers said the team was extracting and testing samples of the seized material when the blast occurred. A detailed investigation has been launched to determine whether the explosion was accidental or caused by another factor. Officials also said that storing such explosives inside a police station may have added to the risk and that procedures for handling sensitive evidence will be reviewed.
The incident has raised concerns about the scale of the terror plot being investigated. Agencies in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana are working together to understand how the explosive materials were produced, transported and distributed. The arrests in Faridabad and the seizure of chemicals suggest a well organised network with a presence across states.
Authorities have cordoned off the Nowgam police station and forensic teams are examining the site. More information is expected as the investigation continues into how the tragedy unfolded and what it means for the ongoing terror probe.