Nine dead, over 25 injured in Srinagar's Nowgam blast linked to terror explosives

Guwahati: At least nine people were killed and more than 25 injured when a massive explosion struck the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar late Friday night.

The blast occurred while authorities were extracting samples from a large stock of explosives seized in connection with the Faridabad terror module, officials said.

Eyewitnesses and CCTV footage showed flames and thick smoke rising from the building.

Officials warned that casualties may increase, as several injured remain critical and some people are still missing.

Rescue teams are continuing to search the rubble for those trapped. Investigators reported that body parts were found up to 300 feet from the site, showing the blast’s severity.

Police are exploring two possibilities: accidental ignition of ammonium nitrate during sealing in the presence of a magistrate, or a deliberate terror attack.

Much of the 350 kg of explosives recovered from the terror module was stored at the station, while some had already been sent to the forensic lab.

Officials also said a seized car at the compound may have been rigged with an IED, potentially triggering the larger explosion.

The PAFF, a group linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, has claimed responsibility, though authorities are verifying the claim.

Security forces, aided by sniffer dogs, have sealed the area and are conducting thorough checks.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo visited a local hospital to meet the injured. The victims’ bodies have been moved to the Police Control Room in Srinagar.

The explosives had originally been recovered from a rented home in Faridabad belonging to Muzzamil Shakeel Ganaie, one of eight people arrested in connection with the module.

Following the blast, J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat carried out a hybrid security review across the Union Territory, increasing vigilance after the Red Fort car blast earlier this week that killed 13 people.

Authorities are investigating whether the two incidents are linked as part of a larger plot.

The probe began after threatening posters appeared in Nowgam in mid-October. CCTV footage led to the arrest of three local residents, Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid, all previously involved in stone-pelting cases.

Their questioning revealed the role of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic-turned-preacher who allegedly radicalized several doctors.

Investigators traced the module to Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where doctors Muzzamil Ganaie and Shaheen Sayeed were arrested.

Authorities recovered large quantities of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sulphur, and other chemicals, including 2,900 kg linked to another doctor from Pulwama.

Hours later, a car exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort, killing 13, injuring over 20, and damaging nearby vehicles.

Umar Nabi was identified as the driver of the Hyundai i20 involved in the blast. Investigators believe the terror module was led by doctors Muzzamil Ganaie, Umar Nabi, and Muzzaffar Rather, who remains at large.

Adeel Rather, brother of the absconding doctor, was also arrested with an AK-56 rifle; his involvement is still under investigation.