Faridabad Explosives Blast: 9 Killed, 32 Injured in Accidental Detonation at J&K Police Station
admin The blast tore through Nowgam police station, torching vehicles and shattering windows in nearby homes. J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat said the explosion was an accident.
Blast Occurs During Sampling of Seized Explosives
A powerful blast shook the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar on Friday night. Officials said the explosion happened while a forensic team examined explosives seized in the Faridabad terror module case. The chemicals were extremely unstable, and they reacted during the sampling process.
The team had recovered nearly 360 kg of material, including ammonium nitrate, from the rented accommodation of accused Dr. Muzammil Ganaie in Faridabad. Officers kept a large part of the explosives in the open yard of the police station.
Massive Impact on Police Station and Surrounding Areas
The explosion tore through the police station and triggered fires in several parked vehicles. The shockwave shattered glass windows in nearby homes. Residents felt the impact two to three kilometres away.
The blast created a dangerous environment, and small secondary explosions delayed the bomb squad’s entry.
Nine Personnel Lose Their Lives
Nine people died in the accident. The victims included:
- Three members of the Forensic Science Laboratory
- Two revenue officials, including a Naib Tehsildar
- Two police photographers
- One officer from the State Investigation Agency
- One tailor inside the compound
Doctors treated 24 police personnel and three civilians at different hospitals in Srinagar.
DGP Calls It an Accidental Blast
J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat addressed the media on Saturday. He explained that the blast was accidental and not intentional. He said teams handled the material carefully for two days, but the highly sensitive chemicals still reacted.
Prabhat also urged the public to avoid speculation and misinformation. He confirmed that investigators are examining the cause and assessing the structural damage.
How the Investigation Reached Faridabad
Srinagar police began the case in October after threatening posters appeared in Nowgam. Officers traced the posters through CCTV footage and arrested three suspects:
- Arif Nisar Dar
- Yasir-ul-Ashraf
- Maqsood Ahmad Dar
Their statements led detectives to Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, who supplied the posters and allegedly influenced several youths.
The investigation then extended to Al Falah University in Faridabad, where police arrested Dr. Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed. Officers recovered a massive quantity of chemicals like:
- Ammonium nitrate
- Potassium nitrate
- Sulphur
Investigators believe doctors Ganaie, Umar Nabi, and Muzzaffar Rather played key roles in the module. Umar Nabi died earlier when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near the Red Fort on November 10. Muzzaffar Rather remains absconding.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are checking the full extent of damage to the police station and nearby houses. Teams are also analysing the remaining explosives kept at different secure locations. The inquiry into the accidental blast and the terror module continues.
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