Srinagar — Kashmir’s summer capital was shaken late Friday night after a powerful explosion tore through the Nowgam Police Station, killing nine people and injuring more than thirty others, most of them police personnel. The blast occurred inside the station during the examination of highly sensitive explosive material that had been seized in an earlier investigation.
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Local officials confirmed that the incident was the result of an accidental detonation while forensic teams were handling the material. No armed group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have stated that there is no indication of any external attack.
A Sudden Blast That Shocked the City
According to officials present at the site, the explosion took place around 11:20 p.m. when a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and a local revenue officer were inspecting several bags of ammonium nitrate that had been transported to the police station for analysis.
Residents living around the station reported hearing a deafening blast that shattered windows and cracked walls in nearby homes. Many said they rushed into the streets in panic as the ground shook beneath their feet.
“We have never heard anything like this,” said one resident. “The whole neighborhood trembled.”
Sensitive Material Under Examination
The explosive material had been recovered earlier from different locations outside Kashmir during an investigation into an inter-state militant network. Large quantities of ammonium nitrate—an industrial chemical that can be used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—had been transported to the Nowgam Police Station for forensic testing.
Preliminary reports indicate that the substance was extremely unstable and may have required specialized storage and handling conditions that were not available at the location.
Officials familiar with the case said that even minor friction or pressure could have triggered a chain reaction.
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Casualties and Emergency Response
Ambulances rushed the injured to multiple hospitals across Srinagar, including SMHS Hospital, Soura Institute of Medical Sciences, Bone & Joint Hospital, and Badami Bagh military hospital. Doctors have indicated that several victims are in critical condition, and the death toll may rise.
Six of the bodies recovered from the site were reported to be severely damaged, prompting authorities to conduct DNA sampling to confirm identification.
Police: ‘A Technical Accident, Not an Attack’
Senior police officials briefed media outlets late in the night, reiterating that the blast was accidental.
A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said:
“This was a technical accident during forensic examination of seized material. There is no evidence of a planned attack, sabotage, or any militant involvement.”
However, independent observers say that the incident raises important questions about adherence to safety protocols and whether such hazardous materials should have been stored in a heavily populated civilian locality.
Massive Structural Damage
The force of the explosion destroyed a major section of the police station, including the record room and investigation wing. The blaze that followed engulfed files, evidence, and administrative documents.
Fire and emergency services battled the flames for hours as smoke rose over the area.
Nearby homes also suffered damage, with residents reporting cracks in roofs and walls.
Investigation Ordered
Authorities have ordered an independent inquiry into the circumstances leading to the blast. The investigation will examine:
Why highly explosive material was stored inside a civilian-area police station
Whether standard operating procedures for hazardous material were followed
Whether the forensic examination team had the necessary protective equipment and facilities
If lapses in supervision contributed to the accident
Human rights groups and independent safety experts say the incident highlights longstanding concerns about the handling of dangerous materials in conflict-affected regions.
Background of the Seized Material
The explosive material had been recovered during an investigation into an inter-state network accused of transporting industrial chemicals for illegal purposes. Several arrests had been made, including individuals with professional backgrounds.
Authorities had described the network as a “white-collar operation” involving educated individuals — a description that has sparked debate among analysts who question official narratives and the framing of such cases in the region.
A City on Edge
Friday night’s explosion has deepened anxiety in Srinagar, where years of political uncertainty and heavy militarization have already created an environment of high tension.
For many residents, the incident also reinforces long-standing concerns about security practices in urban Kashmir and the risks faced by civilians living near police or paramilitary installations.
