Jammu and Kashmir has been thrust into the national spotlight once again after a catastrophic explosion at the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar left at least nine people dead and 32 others injured late Friday night. The blast, which tore through the police station and ignited multiple vehicles, has reignited longstanding concerns over the region’s security protocols, the persistent specter of terrorism, and the deep scars left by decades of violence.
According to police officials and eyewitness accounts reported by BBC and The Hindu, the explosion occurred while a team of forensic experts and Jammu and Kashmir Police officers were examining a cache of explosive material. This material had been seized earlier in Faridabad, in connection with the investigation into what authorities have described as a “white-collar terror module” – a suspected militant cell whose activities had already resulted in several high-profile arrests, including those of two doctors from major Indian cities.
Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, who addressed reporters at a tense Saturday morning briefing, was unequivocal in his assessment of the tragedy. "Any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary," he said, ruling out foul play and describing the event as an "accidental explosion." Most of the victims, he confirmed, were police and forensic officials engaged in the delicate task of handling and sampling the confiscated explosives. The blast was so powerful that its shockwave was felt in various parts of Srinagar, and the immediate aftermath saw small, successive explosions that hampered rescue operations for hours.
The Nowgam police station, which had operated for nearly 25 years out of a vacant house belonging to a displaced Kashmiri Pandit within the Sheikh-ul-Alam residential colony, was reduced to rubble. The devastation was not limited to the station itself; nearby homes in the densely populated colony also suffered damage, as search and rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), civil defense units, and police combed through debris, collecting scattered body remains, explosive traces, and other evidence.
This is not the first time tragedy has struck this location. As noted by The Indian Express, eight years ago, an explosion in the station’s malkhana (storage area) killed three people. The recurrence of such a devastating incident has prompted serious questions about adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling large quantities of explosives and detonators. Early investigations, according to official sources, point to severe lapses in these protocols, though a full assessment is still underway.
The human toll of the blast has been deeply felt across Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, speaking to the press on Saturday, expressed profound grief over the loss of life and extended condolences to the bereaved families. “Today, Jammu and Kashmir woke up to the unfortunate news of a blast at a police station, resulting in loss of precious human lives. The blast was so fierce that its bang was heard in different parts of Srinagar. This is another chapter in the violence that has caused death and destruction in Jammu and Kashmir over the past 35 years,” he said, as reported by The Times of India.
Choudhary did not shy away from linking the tragedy to the broader issue of terrorism that has plagued the region. He called for an end to what he termed “Pakistan-sponsored terrorism,” emphasizing the immense suffering endured by Jammu and Kashmir over the last three decades. “In addition to the loss of lives, Jammu and Kashmir saw massive destruction and displacement of its people, including Kashmiri Pandits. The Maharaja’s state was downgraded into a Union Territory, its special status under Article 370 gone, and the popular government also lost its power,” he said, encapsulating the sense of loss that many residents feel—not just from the violence itself, but from the political and social upheaval that has accompanied it.
The Deputy Chief Minister also addressed the recent unearthing of the so-called “white-collar terror module,” referencing the arrests of a group of doctors and the subsequent confiscation of bomb-making materials. He voiced concern over the broader social impact of such developments, remarking, “No parent would like their child to join terrorism or turn a drug addict, especially when they have utilised all their resources to ensure his admission in a professional institution. The son has made a mistake, but blasting his house meant punishing his parents and siblings. This is not justice.” His comments highlight the complex interplay of law enforcement, justice, and community trauma in a region where collective punishment and individual accountability remain contentious issues.
Choudhary’s call to action was clear: he urged political leaders to rise above party interests and unite in the fight against terrorism. “We want the Nowgam blast to be the last, so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can live a peaceful life and fulfill their dreams,” he said, echoing the hopes of many who have grown weary of the cycle of violence and retaliation.
The explosion at Nowgam comes on the heels of another deadly incident—a car bombing near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort earlier in the week that claimed at least eight lives. Indian security agencies, already on high alert, have responded with a series of raids across Kashmir, detaining scores of suspects and questioning hundreds as they seek to dismantle networks believed to be linked to both incidents. The explosives that detonated in Nowgam had been brought from Faridabad as part of this broader investigation, and were reportedly “kept securely in an open area” at the police station. Yet, the very act of examining these materials proved fatal, underscoring the inherent dangers faced by law enforcement and forensic teams working on the front lines of counterterrorism.
For the families of those killed and injured, and for the wider community, there is little solace in official explanations or calls for unity. The recurring tragedy at Nowgam is a stark reminder of the risks that linger even in moments of apparent progress against militancy. As authorities continue to sift through the wreckage—both literal and figurative—the demand for accountability, improved safety protocols, and a genuine path toward peace grows ever more urgent.
With the region still reeling, the hope that this will be the last such incident is shared by officials and citizens alike. Yet, as history has shown, the road to lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir is fraught with challenges, and the lessons of Nowgam may prove critical in shaping the next chapter of this long and troubled story.
