Nowgam Blast: Kashmir Mourns Officers, Workers, Civilians Who Served Till Their Last Breath

   

SRINAGAR: From Kupwara to Kulgam, from Budgam to Srinagar’s outskirts, an immense wave of grief swept across Kashmir on Saturday as families received the bodies of the nine people killed in the accidental explosion at Nowgam Police Station late Friday night. The victims included police officers, forensic personnel, a revenue official, two crime-branch photographers, a tailor assisting investigators, and a local chowkidar serving as an independent witness. Their deaths, sudden, violent and unforeseen, have left behind distraught families and stunned localities that remembered each of them as honest workers caught in the line of duty.

Authorities have said that the blast occurred when the forensic team was collecting samples from a large cache of explosive materials recovered recently from a terror module busted in Faridabad. Preliminary findings point to an inadvertent detonation during a mandated forensic procedure.

But beyond the official explanations lies the story of nine lives cut short, men who left home expecting to return, unaware that the night would claim their final breath.

“I’ll Finish Work Soon”

Head Constable Mohammad Amin Mir, 45, had phoned his younger brother around 10 pm on Friday. As reported in the media, he said he was busy and would return home soon. Minutes later, the blast ripped through the police station.

Mir, a resident of Bemina’s Housing Colony, was serving with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Srinagar’s District Police Lines. He is survived by his wife and two children. His family told reporters that they were informed only after neighbours urged them to reach the Police Control Room, where they learnt the devastating news.

“A Brave Officer”

Inspector Peerzada Asrar-ul-Haq, 38, an officer with the State Investigation Agency, was accompanying the forensic team. Reports appearing in the media said he had narrowly missed qualifying for the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service twice. His cousin told reporters that the family learnt about his death through social media posts.

A resident of Shahwali in Kupwara, Haq leaves behind his parents, wife and three children. In Dragmulla, hundreds gathered to pay their respects. “He was our pride,” a neighbour said.

Interestingly, among his peers and friends, part of his poetry is being read and re-read, something which he had posted on his social media wall many years ago. Here are a few stanzas from the poem:

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done,
Forget that I ever had a heartache
And remember I’ve had loads of fun.

Forget that I have stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought Some hard battles and won,
Ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my doings,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay.

And come in the evening When the sun paints the sky in the west,
Stand for a few moments besides with me And remember only my best!!!

A Dedicated Public Servant

In Soibugh, Budgam, the return of Muzaffar Ahmad Khan’s body shattered the village’s calm. The Naib Tehsildar, 38, had been inside the police station on magisterial duty. Relatives told reporters that he had recently been transferred, and they never imagined his new posting would be his last.

Survived by his wife, parents, two children and two brothers, he was remembered as a “gentle, affectionate officer”. Wails filled the air as his coffin was carried home. Senior district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and SSP Budgam, attended the funeral.

Their Final Assignment

Two photographers with the Crime Branch, Javid Mansoor Rather, 42, of Hariparigam, Tral, and Arshad Ahmad Shah of Chancer, Kulgam, were recording the forensic process when the blast struck. They both were second-generation cops.

Javid’s father is a retired policeman; his younger brother works as a contractor. The village head told the media that there was “chaos before dawn” when news spread. Javid leaves behind his wife and a three-year-old daughter.

Arshad, the son of a retired police officer, is survived by his parents, wife, a seven-year-old son and an infant daughter. His uncle, quoted in reports, said: “He was the flower of our family… We want the government to investigate how this happened.”

The Tailor

Perhaps the most poignant story is that of Mohammad Shafi Parray, 47, a tailor from Shankerpora near Nowgam. Parray had been helping investigators stitch bags to store seized explosives. He went back and forth between the police station and home on Friday, leaving for work at 10 am, returning for prayers, and again heading out after dinner.

Neighbours told reporters that he was the sole breadwinner and a respected community volunteer, serving as president of the local mosque. “When we heard the blast, we rushed out. His family was told initially he was injured,” a neighbour said. But by early Saturday, police informed them he had died. His body, as locals recounted, bore grievous injuries. Parray is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

The Chowkidar

Suhail Ahmad Rather, a chowkidar from Natipora, had been at the police station as an independent witness during the sampling procedure. He also operated a Common Services Centre in his neighbourhood. He is survived by his parents. Locals interviewed by the media said he was “a beacon of compassion” in the community and that his loss has left “a void no words can fill”.

More Forensic Staff

The blast also killed Ajaz Ahmad Mir, a Senior Grade Constable with the FSL from Ghazaliabad, Zainakote, and Showkat Ahmad, a lab assistant with FSL’s Srinagar head office, who was responsible for handling and collecting samples. Both were part of the technical team carrying out the delicate operation.

Government Response

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, according to a statement issued on his official X handle and reported across local media, expressed deep sorrow, offered condolences, and announced ex gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh per deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each injured person. He also directed those damaged homes near the police station be compensated.

He further said the government “stands firmly with the families” and has instructed Health Minister Sakina Itoo to ensure the best treatment for the injured.

Silence and Smoke

Saturday’s funerals unfolded across Kashmir, thousands gathering, lanes falling silent, and neighbours offering prayers through trembling voices. At some homes, families said they only wanted answers; at others, only the government’s assurance of support allowed them to speak at all.

Across Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, Tral, Kulgam and Nowgam, the message echoed in many forms: the nine men died while performing their duties, some in uniform, some called in for help, all unaware of the tragedy awaiting them.

As one mourner in Soibugh said, standing by the fresh grave of Muzaffar Khan, “Kashmir has buried nine sons today.”