A tragic explosion tore through the Nowgam police station in Srinagar on Friday night, claiming the lives of nine people and injuring 27 others. Authorities were handling a large cache of explosives linked to the ‘white-collar’ terror module case when the accidental blast occurred, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Among those who lost their lives were three personnel from the Forensic Science Laboratory, two from the Revenue Department including a Naib Tehsildar, two police photographers, a member of the State Investigation Agency, and a tailor.
Officials reported that the explosion was triggered by the unstable nature of the chemicals brought from Faridabad in Haryana. The explosives were part of the 360 kg cache recovered from the rented residence of the arrested accused, Dr. Muzammil Ganaie.
The blast shattered the quiet night, heavily damaging the police station building. Successive smaller explosions delayed immediate rescue efforts. Meanwhile, 24 police personnel and three civilians have been admitted to various hospitals across Srinagar.
Investigations into the terror module began after threatening posters appeared in Bunpora, Nowgam, in mid-October. Srinagar police registered a case on October 19, forming a dedicated team to crack the conspiracy. Frame-by-frame analysis of CCTV footage led to the arrest of three initial suspects: Arif Nisar Dar (alias Sahil), Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar (alias Shahid). Interrogation revealed their connection to Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned preacher from Shopian, who supplied the posters and allegedly radicalized medical professionals.
The probe eventually led authorities to Al Falah University in Faridabad, where Dr. Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed were arrested and a massive cache of chemicals including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur was seized. Investigators believe the terror module was orchestrated by a core group of doctors, including Ganaie, Umar Nabi, and Muzzaffar Rather, who remains absconding. The role of Dr. Adeel Rather, brother of Muzzaffar Rather and in possession of an AK-56 rifle, is still under investigation.
This tragedy underscores the perils faced daily by law enforcement and forensic personnel working to keep our communities safe. While investigations continue, the Srinagar community mourns the loss of lives and hopes for swift justice.
