Srinagar, Nov 15 (KNO): Nine persons were killed, including a Naib Tehsildar, State Investigating Agency Officer, and a tailor, while 32 others were injured after a high-intensity blast ripped through Nowgam police station in Srinagar late last night, officials said.
An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the blast occurred when a stockpile of explosives, confiscated from an alleged doctors’ terror module busted by Jammu and Kashmir in Haryana’s Faridabad last week, accidentally went off inside the police station late last night.
The blast created panic among the local residents with its intensity such that houses - as far as 300-500 meters away - suffered extensive damage.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Nalin Prabhat said that during investigation of a case, a huge cache of explosives, chemicals and reagents were recovered from Faridabad on November 9 and 10.
He said that the recovery was transported to Kashmir and kept securely in an open area of the Nowgam police station. “As part of the prescribed procedure, samples of the recovery had to be forwarded for further forensic and chemical examination. On account of the voluminous nature of the recovery, this procedure was going on since yesterday," he said.
He further said that due to the unstable and sensitive nature of the recovery, it was being handled with utmost caution. “However, unfortunately at 11:20 pm accidental explosion took place,”
The DGP also ruled out any terror angle into the incident, stating that any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary. “In the incident 9 people were killed, including a State Investigating Agency officer, 3 FSL members, 2 photographers, 2 revenue officials and a tailor. In addition, 27 cops, 2 revenue officials and 3 civilians were injured. The injured were immediately evacuated to the hospital," he added.
The deceased have been identities as Ajaz Ahmad (SGCT) son of Mohammad Afzal Mir of Srinagar’s HMT, Arshid Ahmad Shah (Photographer) son of Nazir Ahmad Shah of Kulgam, Mohammad Amin (Head Constable) son of Mohd Maqbool Mir of Bemina, Javid Mansoor Rather (Photographer) son of Mansoor Ahmad Rather of Tral, Suhail Ahmad Rather (Chowkidar) son of Mohd Shafi Rather of Natipora, Muzaffar Ahmad Khan (Naib Tehsildar) son of Mohd Ramzan Khan of Soibugh, Showkat Ahmad (Lab Assistant) son of Gh Nabi Sheikh of Qamarwari, Srinagar, Mohd Shafi Parray (Tailor) son of Mohd Sideeq Parray of Wanabal, and Asrar Ahmad Shah (SIA Officer) of Habibullah Shah fo Drugmullah, Kupwara.
The injured have admitted to different hospitals, including Army’s 92 Base hospital in Srinagar, SMHS and a private hospital, based on the gravity of their injuries. Over 50 residential houses and nearby structures have also been damaged severely.
The DGP added also said that the building of the police station has been severely damaged, and adjacent buildings too have been affected, while the extent of damage is being ascertained.
The blast turned the police station into a rubble with charred remains of vehicles and other material scattered all around, showed several videos that have gone viral on social media since.
"The cause for the unfortunate incident is being inquired into. J&K police stands in solidarity with the families in this hour of grief," the DGP said.
Meanwhile, Joint Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs also briefed the media about the incident, sharing the same details.
The intensity of the blast was such that bodies were scattered all over with some found around 200-300 meters away from the police station and were recovered from the nearby residential houses.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the incident, stating that he has ordered a probe into the matter.
He also said that the government stands in solidarity with the families, friends, and loved ones of the departed, while all possible assistance is being provided to those affected—(KNO)