Accidental Explosion at Kashmir Police Station Kills Nine, Injures 32

Nine people were killed and 32 injured when confiscated explosives accidentally detonated at Nowgam police station in Indian-administered Kashmir. Most victims were police officers and forensic personnel. Authorities confirmed it was an accident, not a terrorist attack, and an investigation has been ordered to determine the cause.

Nine people tragically lost their lives and 32 others sustained injuries after a stockpile of confiscated explosives accidentally detonated at a police station in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials confirmed. The explosion occurred at Nowgam police station on Friday evening and involved explosives that had been seized earlier in the week from Faridabad, a city in the northern Indian state of Haryana. Authorities had planned to send the materials for forensic examination, but a mishap during handling caused the explosives to detonate at approximately 23:20 local time (17:50 GMT), according to the region’s Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, who described the incident as “very unfortunate.”

Police emphasized that the blast was an accident and not related to terrorism. In a statement to the press, the police chief said that “any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary” and reiterated that investigations would focus solely on the accidental detonation. The explosion caused extensive damage to the Nowgam police station itself and also affected nearby buildings. Multiple vehicles parked at and around the station were engulfed in flames and reduced to charred wrecks, with debris scattered widely across the site. Sources told Reuters that the force of the explosion was so intense that human body parts were recovered from homes located approximately 100 to 200 meters away from the police station, underlining the sheer magnitude of the blast.

The victims included police officers and forensic personnel involved in handling the explosives, as well as two crime scene photographers and a tailor who had been accompanying the team. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, as well as the broader administrative machinery of the region, highlighting the dangers inherent in handling large quantities of explosive materials, even in controlled environments.

Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of the region, who was appointed by the Indian government, expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and conveyed sympathy for those injured. He stated that he had ordered a full investigation into the incident to ascertain the precise causes of the accidental explosion. Writing on social media, Sinha described the event as “extremely tragic” and expressed hope for the speedy recovery of those wounded in the blast. Authorities are continuing to assess the overall damage caused by the explosion, including the destruction of infrastructure and vehicles, and are taking steps to prevent any further incidents related to mishandling of confiscated explosives.

The Nowgam police station explosion comes just days after a separate blast in Delhi, which the Indian government has classified as a “terror incident.” While unrelated, the timing of these incidents has heightened public concern regarding safety and security measures surrounding explosive materials across the country. The tragic loss of life in Kashmir has drawn national attention, emphasizing both the risks faced by law enforcement and forensic personnel and the need for rigorous safety protocols when handling hazardous materials.