Tragic Explosion at Nowgam Police Station Linked to Faridabad Terror Investigation

Post by : Raina Nasser

Srinagar, Nov 15, 2025: A deadly explosion rocked the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, as confirmed by local authorities. The blast occurred while forensic teams were collecting samples from a significant cache of explosives previously confiscated in Faridabad, Haryana, amid efforts to dismantle a terror network.

Victims of this tragic event included personnel from the Special Investigation Team (SIA), Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), crime scene photographers, and even a tailor linked to the investigation. J&K Police Chief Nalin Prabhat remarked that the incident, although accidental, was directly attributed to the explosives taken from Haryana.

The explosives belonged to a total of 2,900 kg gathered from locations associated with suspects in Faridabad, as part of a larger investigation into an inter-state Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror module that had been behind several threats and attacks, including a recent blast at the Red Fort in Delhi that claimed at least ten lives.

Investigations revealed a connection between the explosives seized in Faridabad and a broader network facilitating urban terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Notable among the seizures was 2,563 kg of explosive material found at the residence of Hafeez Mohammad Ishtiaq, a local imam, followed by an additional 358 kg, along with detonators and timers from surrounding areas.

Authorities have detained multiple suspects linked to the terror module, including clerics, doctors, and local inhabitants from regions such as Nowgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, and Kulgam. Follow-up raids uncovered JeM materials and other incriminating items. This investigation has exposed ties to individuals previously involved in Red Fort-related incidents, notably Dr. Umar un Nabi, who allegedly used similar explosives for a prior attack in Delhi.

The tragedy at Nowgam police station brings to light the perilous nature of handling substantial quantities of confiscated explosives by security and forensic staff. The local community in Srinagar has been left reeling from the incident, prompting police to launch a comprehensive investigation to ensure all safety protocols were adhered to during the procedure.

Officials stressed that this event is part of ongoing nationwide actions targeting terror networks associated with JeM and other extremist groups. While the discovery of explosives in Faridabad represented a significant success, Friday's unfortunate accident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by terrorist stockpiles.

As the inquiries proceed, authorities have called for heightened awareness in the management of explosive materials, reaffirming their commitment to dismantling terror networks across various states as a top priority.