Nine killed in accidental explosion at police station in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials say
Nine people were killed and 32 injured when a seized stockpile of explosives accidentally detonated at a police station in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said.
Coming in a few days Many killed in car explosion in DelhiWhat the government called a “terrorist incident”.
The blast took place at Nowgam police station on Friday evening and the explosives were seized in Faridabad in the northern state of Haryana earlier in the week.
Nalin Prabhat, the district’s director general of police, said the explosives were sent for forensic examination, but due to an “unfortunate” mishap during transport, the explosives detonated around 23:20 local time (17:50 GMT).
Police said in a statement that this was not a terrorist attack but an accidental explosion. “Any further speculation regarding the cause of this incident is unnecessary,” the police chief told reporters.
He said that the police station was severely damaged in the explosion and surrounding buildings were also affected.
According to a police statement, several vehicles “were engulfed in flames and reduced to charred husks, with debris scattered across the field.”
A source speaking to Reuters news agency said, “The intensity of the explosion was so great that some body parts were removed from houses approximately 100-200 meters away from the police station.” he said.
Most of the victims were police officers, as well as forensic personnel, two crime scene photographers and a seamstress who was on the team.
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of the region appointed by the Indian government, expressed his condolences and said he had ordered an investigation.
He wrote on social media: “I have ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the accidental explosion. I am deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives due to the extremely tragic accidental explosion at Nowgam police station in Srinagar. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for a speedy recovery of the injured.”
