Forensic Examination Ends in Tragedy
A routine forensic examination of confiscated explosives ended in catastrophe on Friday, resulting in a devastating blast at a police station in Indian-administered Kashmir. The incident in the Nowgam area of Srinagar claimed at least nine lives and left 32 people injured, with many of the wounded reported to be in a critical condition.
Scene of Destruction and Hampered Rescue
According to police director-general Nalin Prabhat, the accidental detonation occurred late on Friday as personnel were evaluating the material. The force of the explosion was immense, destroying the police station building and setting several vehicles ablaze. The impact was so severe that body parts were reportedly recovered from houses located 100 to 200 metres away.
A police source described the scene, emphasising the blast's intensity. The rescue operation for survivors was further complicated and delayed by a series of smaller, successive explosions following the initial blast.
Wider Security Context and Recent Attacks
This tragedy comes amidst a heightened security alert in the region. It follows a deadly car explosion in New Delhi on Monday that killed at least eight people near the historic Red Fort. That incident occurred hours after police in Kashmir announced they had dismantled a suspected militant cell, making several arrests.
In a connected investigation, Indian security forces have conducted numerous raids across Kashmir, questioning hundreds and detaining dozens of individuals. Authorities have stated that DNA testing identified the driver of the car used in the New Delhi blast as a Kashmiri doctor. In a punitive measure, government forces demolished his family home in Pulwama district on Thursday night.
India and Pakistan both claim the entirety of Kashmir, a territory divided between them. The Indian-administered region has seen a long-running conflict since 1989, which India characterises as Pakistan-backed terrorism—an allegation Pakistan denies.
