Nowgam Police Station Blast: Area sealed as forensic teams examine site

The vicinity of the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar has been completely sealed by Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams and security forces as a comprehensive investigation continues into the late-night explosion that killed nine personnel and injured 32 others. Officials said on Sunday that controlled access around the site was necessary to preserve evidence and allow forensic experts to reconstruct the sequence of events.

The blast, which took place inside a police station building on Friday, caused substantial structural damage not only to the complex but also to multiple adjoining residential structures. Those injured were immediately shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, where medical teams have been instructed to provide specialised care.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat emphasised that speculation surrounding the incident was unwarranted. He said preliminary assessments by technical teams indicated that the explosion appeared to have occurred inadvertently during an authorised forensic procedure being carried out inside the station premises. According to him, the nine personnel who lost their lives included one State Investigation Agency (SIA) officer, three FSL experts, two crime-scene photographers, two revenue officials assisting a magistrate-led operation, and a tailor who was present as part of the investigative preparations.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the incident and assured that the government would extend all possible assistance to the families of the deceased. He directed Education and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to monitor the treatment of the injured and promised that damage to private and public property would be duly assessed and compensated.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, meanwhile, called for a thorough and independent inquiry. He noted that early indications suggested possible lapses in the handling of explosive materials, and stressed that the families affected deserved complete clarity on how such a serious breach of procedure could occur.

As the investigation progresses, officials maintain that definitive conclusions will only be reached once forensic reconstruction and technical audits are completed.