Nowgam blast updates: 9 dead; Police officers pay homage to those who lost their lives

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DIG South Kashmir, Javed Iqbal Mattoo, DC Kulgam, Athar Amir Khan, and SSP Kulgam, Anayat Ali Chaudhary, attend the funeral prayers of Arshid Ahmad Shah, a crime cameraman, who lost his life in a blast in the Nowgam Police Station premises last night.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the government will compensate for damages caused to nearby structures by the accidental blast at Nowgam police station.

Abdullah said the government stands firmly with the victims' families and will provide them with every possible support.

"The chief minister has assured that the government stands firmly with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic Nowgam police station explosion and will provide every possible support to them. He has also directed health minister Sakina Itoo to ensure the best treatment for the injured and assured that the damaged structures will be duly compensated," read a post on his official X handle.

Jammu and Kashmir leader of opposition and BJP leader Sunil Sharma backed the investigation into the Nowgam blast.
"Initially, it appeared to be an attack. But then police officials, and today the DGP, busted it... Only those who were investigating the materials know what actually happened... We express our deepest condolences to the deceased..."

JKNC leader Farooq Abdullah raised the statehood issue after the Nowgam blast that killed 9.
“Statehood is necessary for unified command; Delhi must think about it,” he told the media.

The Police in Jammu and Kashmir paid their tribute to the dead in the Nowgam blast.

"DGP and All Ranks of J&K Police convey their solemn tributes to Inspector Asrar Ahmad and all team members, who made the ultimate sacrifice, in the line of duty, in the Nowgam Police Station incident. Their courage, dedication and selfless service reflect the highest traditions of our force. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and pray to the Almighty to give them strength and solace," Kashmir Zone police said on X.

Farooq Abdullah asked when will terror end after the Faridabad terror module linked explosives accidently went off in Nowgam, killing 9.
“When will all this end? They (centre) had abrogated Article 370, but now it has been clarified that Article 370 is not responsible for it… We were never with terrorism and will never be. We don’t want all this. We want peace,” Abdullah said.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday called for a high-level investigation into the tragic blast at Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar that killed nine and injured thirty-two, noting that repeated acts of violence continue to trouble the Union Territory even decades after militancy first emerged in the region.

Speaking to ANI, Choudhary said the incident triggered widespread fear among residents, particularly because the news of the blast broke late at night.

"The news got out last night, and people panicked. There are blasts which are pre-planned by militants, but we don't know what to say about this unfortunate blast," he said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the Srinagar blast is a wake-up call for the central government to strengthen intelligence and anti-terror mechanisms, and it cannot run away from accountability.

He also demanded an urgent all-party meeting to discuss the "growing threat" of terrorism that continues to receive support from external forces.

In an X post, Kharge expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the accidental blast at Nowgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir and called for urgent medical attention to the injured and compensation to them and the next of kin of the deceased.

"It is extremely disconcerting and sad to know that nine precious lives have been lost and 24 people have been injured in a blast at a police station in Nowgam, Jammu and Kashmir...

"My deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. The injured must be treated with prompt medical supervision and adequate compensation must be provided to the victims," Kharge said.

The explosives are part of the 2,900 kilogram-recovery security agencies made in raids that were part of a crackdown on a ‘white collar’ terror module, to which even the recent Delhi Red Fort blast suspect also was found to be linked.

The Red Fort blast in Delhi that killed at least 10 people is linked to the case registered at Nowgam on October 19, after Jaish-e-Mohammed posters warning of a "spectacular attack" were found. Read more.

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha laid a wreath and paid homage to the police personnel, government officials and a civilian who lost their lives in the blast near the Nowgam Police Station premises last night.

He also offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

People's Conference president Sajad Lone called the blast at the Nowgam blast police station heartbreaking.

"The accidental blast at the Nowgam police station is heartbreaking. Heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. In this distressing moment, may they muster the courage to bear this loss," Lone said, PTI reported.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) unit in Bhaderwah on Saturday cancelled the victory celebration of Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, the winning candidate from Budgam, following the tragic accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar that claimed multiple lives.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Saturday said that the cause of the incident would be investigated after nine people were killed and more than 30 others were injured in a massive accidental explosion that ripped through the Nowgam Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir late on Friday night.

The MHA attributed the highly unstable nature of the explosive material recovered during an ongoing terror module probe that was linked to the Delhi Red Fort blast that occurred on November 10, which killed at least 10 people.

Security heightened in Jammu and Kashmir, with CRPF taking the lead.

"We are conducting checks across highways and roads. Security forces are on high alert and prepared for any circumstances. From the Rajouri police to the CRPF and other forces, all are deployed and performing their duties. We are thoroughly searching vehicles passing from here," an officer told ANI.

AIMIM leader Waris Pathan has criticised the handling of the explosives that led to the Nowgam blast, killing at least nine people.

"It is unfortunate and worrisome. Nine people have died, and over twenty were injured. My sympathies are with them. Explosives should not be left exposed in this manner, and a detailed inquiry needs to be conducted," Pathan told ANI.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: JKNC Chief Farooq Abdullah, while reacting to the blast in the Nowgam police station, told news agency ANI, "This is our mistake, those who understand this explosive better, we should have talked to them first about how to deal with it instead of trying to handle it ourselves, you saw the result, 9 people lost their lives. So much damage was caused to the houses there. We haven't yet come out of the crisis in Delhi where fingers are being pointed at every Kashmiri. When will that day come when they will accept that we are Indians and we are not responsible for this, ask those who are responsible why these doctors had to take this path? What was the reason? There is a need for a thorough investigation and study of this."

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: A video of the family of Mohammad Shafi Parry, a tailor who died in the Nowgam police station blast on Friday night, shows them breaking down in tears as their mourn the tragedy.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the explosion explosion at the Nowgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir “extremely heartbreaking and concerning.”

Reports indicate that this horrific accident occurred during the investigation of explosives linked to the Red Fort attack, he wrote on X.

“I pay humble tribute to the martyrs and hope for the swift recovery of the injured,” Rahul Gandhi said.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: Family members of those who died or got injured in the Nowgam police station blast attempt to enter the area around the police station that has been cordoned off, reported news agency ANI.

Houses around the area have suffered damages and the injured have been taken to hospital.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that it was “extremely disconcerting and sad to know that 9 precious lives have been lost and 24 people have been injured in a blast at a police station in Nowgam, Jammu & Kashmir”.

“My deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. The injured must be treated with prompt medical supervision and adequate compensation must be provided to the victims,” he wrote on X.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti extended ‘heartfelt condolences’ to the families of the Nowgam police station blast victims and said that the incident highlights the tough working condisions of police personnel.

“Deeply anguished by the tragic accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station that claimed 9 precious lives and left many injured. This heartbreaking incident lays bare the risks and difficult conditions under which our police personnel serve to keep the rest of us safe. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for strength and swift recovery for the injured,” she wrote on X.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday morning that he was “deeply anguished by the loss of precious lives due to extremely tragic accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar”.

“My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote on X.

“The government stand in solidarity with the families, friends, and loved ones of the departed. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. I've ordered a probe to ascertain the cause of the accidental explosion,” he added.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic accidental explosion at Nowgam Police Station, which claimed precious lives and left several personnel injured, said his office.

“He has extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of all those injured,” the Chief Minister's office said.

Nowgam blast LIVE updates: Here's a blow-by-blow account of events leading up to the explosion, as detailed by Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat:

-A huge cache of explosive substances, chemicals, and reagents recovered from Faridabad on November 9 and 10 was transported to Jammu and Kashmir and securely stored in the open area of Nowgam police station.

-Samples were sent for further forensic and chemical analysis, but due to the large volume of materials, detailed inspection was necessary.

-The Forensic Science Laboratory carried out the examination on November 13 and 14, exercising extreme caution because of the sensitivity of the explosives.

-Around 11:20 pm on Friday, an accidental explosion occurred during one such handling process.

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