DGP rules out terror angle in blast
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Nov 15 : Nine persons were killed, including a Naib Tehsildar, State Investigating Agency officer, and a tailor, while 32 others were injured after a massive blast blew up Police Station Nowgam last night.
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The blast occurred when a stockpile of explosives, confiscated from an alleged “white Collar” terror module busted by Jammu and Kashmir Police in Faridabad last week, accidentally went off inside the Police Station last night.
The blast created panic among the local residents with its intensity such that houses – as far as 300-500 meters away – suffered extensive damage.
Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat told a press conference here this morning that during investigation of a case, a huge cache of explosives, chemicals and reagents were recovered from Faridabad on November 9 and 10.
He said that the recovery was transported to Kashmir and kept securely in an open area of the Nowgam Police Station. “As part of the prescribed procedure, samples of the recovery had to be forwarded for further forensic and chemical examination. On account of the voluminous nature of the recovery, this procedure was going on since yesterday,” he said.
He further said that due to the unstable and sensitive nature of the recovery, it was being handled with utmost caution. “However, unfortunately at 11:20 pm accidental explosion took place,” Click here to watch video
The DGP also ruled out any terror angle into the incident, stating that any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary. “In the incident 9 people were killed, including a State Investigating Agency officer, 3 FSL members, 2 photographers, 2 Revenue officials and a tailor. In addition, 27 cops, 2 Revenue officials and 3 civilians were injured. The injured were immediately evacuated to the hospital,” he added.
The deceased have been identities as Ajaz Ahmad (SGCT) son of Mohammad Afzal Mir of Srinagar’s HMT, Arshid Ahmad Shah (Photographer) son of Nazir Ahmad Shah of Kulgam, Mohammad Amin (Head Constable) son of Mohd Maqbool Mir of Bemina, Javid Mansoor Rather (Photographer) son of Mansoor Ahmad Rather of Tral, Suhail Ahmad Rather (Chowkidar) son of Mohd Shafi Rather of Natipora, Muzaffar Ahmad Khan (Naib Tehsildar) son of Mohd Ramzan Khan of Soibugh, Showkat Ahmad (Lab Assistant) son of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh of Qamarwari, Srinagar, Mohd Shafi Parray (Tailor) son of Mohd Sideeq Parray of Wanabal, and Asrar Ahmad Shah (SIA Officer) son of Habibulla Shah of Drugmulla, Kupwara.
The injured have been admitted to different hospitals, including Army’s 92 Base hospital in Srinagar, SMHS and a private hospital, based on the gravity of their injuries. Around 40 residential houses and nearby structures have been damaged severely.
The DGP also said that the building of the Police Station has been severely damaged, and adjacent buildings too have been affected, while the extent of damage is being ascertained.
The blast turned the Police Station into rubble with charred remains of vehicles and other material scattered all around.
“The cause for the unfortunate incident is being inquired into. J&K police stand in solidarity with the families in this hour of grief,” the DGP said.
The blast took place when approximately 360 kg of explosive substances, chemicals, and reagents, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur were being sampled by a team of FSL experts in presence of a magistrate.
The huge cache of explosives was brought from Haryana’s Faridabad in a Tata 407 pickup truck in small bags.
On the reason behind transporting the explosives to Kashmir, an official said the original case was registered at the Nowgam police station and the explosives were the case property of that police station. Hence, there was a need to transport the explosives so far.
The blast led to widespread devastation, charred vehicles, shattered walls, broken windowpanes and roofs ripped apart by the blast wave.
Piles of concrete chunks, twisted tin sheets and scattered belongings, including burnt documents and torn shoes, lay strewn around the compound.
Locals said the impact of the explosion was so intense that it sent debris flying several hundred meters away from the Police Station. ”We saw blood marks and debris even near the bridge walls,” said a resident.
“We thought it was an earthquake. Our walls shook violently and windows rattled. The sound was deafening as it felt like the ground was lifted for a moment,” he said.
All approach lanes and inner bylanes leading to the Nowgam Police Station remained sealed today. Police and security forces erected multiple barricades to prevent any movement in the area.
Only forensic experts and senior officers were allowed inside the restricted zone, as the search for evidence and possible traces of explosives continued.
In Muqam-e-Shahwali, a village in Kupwara, life came to a standstill today as hundreds assembled for Inspector Asrar Ahmad’s last rites.
“There is a strange stillness here. It feels as if the breath of this whole village has been taken away with Asrar,” Shabir Ahmad, a resident said.
A large number of people, including several Government officials, attended the funeral, which drew hundreds of residents from the area.
A Crime Branch photographer, Javaid Ahmad Rather, popularly known as Mubashir, was deputed for the Police Station for clicking pictures and video-graphy of the seized material. The death of the 32-year-old has left his family and relatives shattered.
Married just a few years ago, Javaid leaves behind his wife, his elderly parents, and a three-year-old daughter.
“He was extremely sober and humble. Everyone here respected him for his nature and sincerity,” said a neighbour in Hari Parigam, struggling to hold back tears.
Javaid was laid to rest amid heart-rending scenes, with emotional relatives and villagers participating in the last rites.
Amid tears and sobs, thousands of mourners today attended the funeral of Naib Tehsildar, Muzaffar Ahmad Khan, who was killed in the explosion.
The officer was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Soibugh, where heartbreaking moments unfolded as relatives and locals bid a final farewell.
Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Budgam Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, SSP Budgam Nikhil Borkar and several officers from the Police and Revenue Departments participated in the funeral and offered condolences to the family.
Newly elected MLA Budgam, Aga Muntazir Mehdi also attended the last rites, standing with the bereaved family during the burial.
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