Nowgam Blast kills 9; Police step up probe and caution public against rumours
Srinagar — A powerful explosion shook the Nowgam Police Station area on Friday night. The blast killed nine people and injured several others. Police launched a probe within minutes and urged the public to avoid speculation. Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat addressed reporters on Saturday morning. He said investigators are examining every angle and gathering scientific evidence. He also stressed that rumours complicate the investigation and create panic.
The explosion tore through the police station building. It caused major structural damage and pushed debris into nearby buildings. Rescue teams reached the site quickly and moved the injured to different hospitals across Srinagar. Most injured officers belonged to the police and forensic teams. They were inspecting materials connected to an ongoing terror-related case when the blast occurred.
Meanwhile, officers began tracing the background of the samples under inspection. These samples came from Faridabad. Police recently seized them during raids linked to an alleged “white-collar” terror module. Sources said investigators are now studying whether the Nowgam blast has any direct link to that module. They are also checking if the materials recovered earlier played a role in Friday night’s explosion.
The Faridabad case drew national attention last week. Police seized nearly 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate and other bomb-making substances during the raids. Officers then arrested several suspects. They also tracked movements of others who had links to the seized material. These developments set the stage for deeper scrutiny across multiple states.
The Nowgam blast also comes at a tense time. Just days ago, a car exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort and killed at least ten people. Investigators identified the driver as Umar-un Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama. They later found links between him and the Faridabad module. His movements and contacts revealed a trail of explosive materials, suspicious shipments, and covert coordination. This connection widened the scope of the national investigation.
Because of these back-to-back incidents, police increased security across Jammu and Kashmir. Additional forces reached Nowgam on Saturday. They sealed the blast site and examined surrounding areas. DGP Prabhat and CRPF Inspector General Pawan Kumar Sharma visited the spot. They met officers, assessed damage, and reviewed preliminary findings.
Investigators are now identifying the victims. Hospitals in Srinagar are treating the injured and monitoring their recovery. Doctors said they are providing urgent care and calling specialists when needed. Families of the affected officers reached the facilities early in the morning. Police officials met them and briefed them about ongoing procedures.
As the probe continues, officers are mapping movements of individuals attached to the Faridabad case. They are gathering CCTV footage, call records, and forensic samples. They want to establish whether a larger network is active. They also want to confirm whether the blast was triggered by unstable material during inspection or by deliberate interference.
For now, police maintain focus on facts. They ask citizens to stay alert, follow official statements, and avoid forwarding unverified claims. The next briefing is expected once investigators complete the first round of technical analysis.
