On Sunday, teams from the Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSL) and the bomb disposal squad of the National Security Guards (NSG) visited the site of the explosion at the Nowgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir, where an accidental detonation during the sampling of explosives led to the deaths of 11 individuals and injuries to many others on Friday.
Authorities have cordoned off the police station and its surrounding areas to facilitate an investigation and collect evidence regarding the cause of the explosion.
According to officials, teams from CFSL Delhi and Chandigarh, along with the BDS NSG, examined the site to uncover clues from the debris left by the accidental detonation. “The teams inspected the site, collected samples, and also interacted with local officials,” sources stated.
Approximately 360 kg of explosives, which had been transported from Faridabad following a seizure of 3,000 kg of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, was accidentally detonated during the sampling process in a shed located within the Nowgam police station premises on Friday. The explosion caused damage to numerous vehicles, police cars, and nearby residential buildings, and was audible across a significant portion of Srinagar.
The victims comprised members of the special investigation team (SIA) from the J&K Police, three individuals from the FSL team, two photographers documenting the crime scene, two revenue officials who were part of the magistrate’s team, and a tailor linked to the team.
The administration of the Union territory has commenced an investigation into the incident. “In accordance with the legal framework governing such occurrences, a magisterial inquiry is mandated, and this investigation has been initiated,” stated Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu.
Rejecting any possible connection to terrorism, the LG commented, “The sampling of explosives had been in progress for the last two days. The J&K police have dismantled a pan-India terror network and have successfully prevented numerous terrorist activities throughout the country. The incident at the Nowgam police station was simply an unfortunate accident, and there is no indication of a terror conspiracy or external involvement in this case,” he asserted.
He commended the efforts of the J&K police in dismantling a pan-India terror network.
