Tragic Nowgam Blast Claims Lives During Explosive Investigation

Post by : Raina Nasser

Srinagar, Nov 15, 2025: Authorities have confirmed that nine individuals lost their lives in a catastrophic explosion at the Nowgam police station situated on the periphery of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday. The blast transpired while forensic experts were collecting samples from a significant stockpile of explosives discovered earlier in Faridabad, Haryana, amid a crackdown on a terror module.

The deceased included members of the Special Investigation Team (SIA), experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), crime scene photographers, revenue officials, and a tailor collaborating with the investigation. J&K Police Chief Nalin Prabhat attributed the incident to an accident, but one directly linked to the explosives confiscated in Haryana.

The explosives form part of a 2,900 kg haul retrieved from the residences of suspects in Faridabad, seized during an extensive investigation into an inter-state Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror network. This group has been involved in several threats and attacks, including the recent Red Fort blast in Delhi that resulted in at least ten fatalities earlier this month.

Investigations by police have indicated that the explosives taken from Faridabad are associated with a network facilitating urban terror cells in Jammu and Kashmir. The principal seizure included 2,563 kg of explosive material found at the residence of Hafeez Mohammad Ishtiaq, a local imam, alongside an additional 358 kg of explosives, detonators, and timers located nearby.

Multiple arrests have been made in connection with the terror module, including clerics, medical professionals, and local residents from Nowgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, and Kulgam. Authorities also discovered JeM posters and related materials during subsequent raids. The investigation has drawn connections to individuals who were previously involved in plots related to the Red Fort, notably Dr Umar un Nabi, who allegedly triggered a separate blast in Delhi using similar explosive types.

The incident at Nowgam police station accentuates the perilous conditions facing security and forensic teams during the handling of substantial explosive quantities. Local residents in Srinagar expressed their disbelief at this tragedy, prompting police to initiate a comprehensive investigation to guarantee that all safety measures were correctly adhered to.

Authorities reiterated that this incident is part of broader nationwide efforts targeting terror modules linked to JeM and other extremist factions. While the discovery and confiscation of explosives in Faridabad was seen as a significant advancement, Friday's incident unveils the ongoing threats posed by terrorist stockpiles.

As the inquiry progresses, authorities are calling for heightened caution in managing explosive materials and have reassured the public that dismantling terror networks across states remains a priority.