Jammu Kashmir Leaders Mourn Nowgam Blast Victims

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday lauded the Jammu and Kashmir Police for dismantling a pan-India terror module linked to the Red Fort blast, even as political leaders across parties expressed solidarity with families of victims killed in the accidental explosion at Nowgam Police Station.

Speaking at an event in Jammu, the LG said the module was “successfully cracked due to timely intelligence and coordinated action by J&K Police”, preventing multiple planned attacks across the country. He also expressed profound grief over the Nowgam blast, clarifying that the explosion had “no terror angle or outside intervention” and occurred during the forensic examination of explosive material recovered during the probe.

The explosion took place around 11:20 pm on Friday while a specialised team was extracting samples from a large and unstable cache of explosives seized from arrested suspects. Nine people died, including six policemen—SIA Inspector Israr Ahmad Shah; Selection Grade Constables Javaid Mansoor Rather and Arshid Ahmad Shah (Crime Branch photographers); Selection Grade Constable Aijaz Afzal Mir; and Constables Mohammad Amin Mir and Showkat Ahmad Bhat of the Forensic Science Laboratory. Naib Tehsildar Muzaffar Ahmed Khan, local chowkidar Suhail Ahmad Rather and tailor Muhammad Shafi Parray were also killed. Several others were injured.

Authorities have launched a detailed inquiry into the accident, and the LG said support has been extended to the injured and the families of the deceased.

Political outreach continued on Sunday, with Bharatiya Janata Party senior leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma visiting the residence of tailor Muhammad Shafi Parray. Sharma, accompanied by BJP leader Ravinder Raina, offered condolences and met the victim’s children. Speaking to reporters, he said the “entire nation stands with the families of the Nowgam blast victims”.

Sharma explained that the explosives were brought to Nowgam Police Station because the initial FIRs were registered there. He said the material recovered from Faridabad was “highly inflammable”, and the first consignment weighed around 360 kilograms. Multiple teams, including FSL experts, Crime Branch officers and local police personnel, were present during the examination. “Due to some lapse, the explosive detonated on the spot, resulting in the death of 10 people and injuries to 28 others,” he said.

Sharma added that the Prime Minister and Home Minister had also conveyed condolences and directed BJP leaders to visit affected households. “We assured the family of every possible support during this difficult time,” he said.

Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with senior officers, including Special DG Coordination SJM Geelani, visited the home of SIA Inspector Shah Asrar Ul Haq in Drugmulla, Kupwara, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.