A powerful accidental explosion ripped through the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar during forensic examination of a large cache of seized ammonium nitrate. At least six people have died and dozens more are wounded, prompting an urgent inquiry into handling procedures.
Srinagar, Nov 15, 2025 — A massive explosion shook the Nowgam Police Station on the outskirts of Srinagar late Friday night, leaving six to seven people dead and around 27 to 30 others injured, according to multiple officials and media reports. The blast occurred during a forensic sampling operation involving a large cache of explosives, heightening scrutiny over how seized materials are handled.
Explosion During Forensic Sampling
Authorities say the blast erupted while a forensic science team and police personnel were examining ammonium nitrate confiscated earlier in connection with a “white-collar terror module” case. India Today+2The New Indian Express+2 The volatile chemical, sourced from a massive haul of approximately 360 kilograms seized in Faridabad, Haryana, was being tested inside the police station when the explosion triggered. The Economic Times+2The New Indian Express+2
Death Toll and Injuries
Reports vary slightly on the number of casualties: while the New Indian Express cites six fatalities, The New Indian Express India Today and Kashmir Media Service report seven dead. India Today+1 In addition to the deceased, 27 to 30 people are reported to have sustained injuries, many of them forensic experts and police personnel. Al Jazeera+1
Small, successive explosions followed the main blast, complicating rescue operations and delaying the entry of bomb-disposal teams. The Economic Times+1 Fire tenders were dispatched to contain a fire that broke out in the station compound, and nearby buildings reportedly suffered damage as well. KMS News+1
Investigation Underway
Police sources have launched a high-level internal investigation to assess whether safety protocols were violated during the storage and handling of the seized explosives, according to officials. The Economic Times There are two primary lines of inquiry: one investigating a possible procedural lapse in handling the sensitive material, and another exploring if the blast might have been triggered intentionally — though senior officials have publicly dismissed a terror attack as the cause so far. India Today+2Organiser+2
Broader Context: From White-Collar Terror to Delhi Blast
The seized ammonium nitrate is part of a broader probe into a “white-collar” terrorist network, allegedly involving radicalized professionals, including doctors. The New Indian Express+1 This terror module is also being linked to a recent car explosion in New Delhi, raising concerns that the conspiracy may extend beyond Kashmir. Organiser+1
Local Impact and Response
Residents in the Nowgam area reported feeling tremors from the blast “as far as 5–10 km away,” with windows shattering and panic spreading as sirens filled the night air. AP7am Senior police officials have cordoned off the area, while ambulances raced victims to nearby hospitals including SKIMS (Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences) and a base army hospital. www.ndtv.com+1
Calls for Accountability
The incident has sparked widespread demand for a review of standard operating procedures for handling seized explosives, particularly in high-risk zones like Kashmir. Investigative teams are expected to determine how such large quantities of volatile material came to be stored at a police station and whether proper safeguards were observed.
