In a tragic turn of events, Nowgam police station in Srinagar became the scene of a deadly explosion on Friday night, claiming the lives of nine people and injuring 27 others. The blast occurred while officials were carefully handling explosives seized in the investigation of the so-called ‘white-collar’ terror module.
Those who lost their lives included three Forensic Science Laboratory personnel, two employees from the Revenue Department including a Naib Tehsildar, two police photographers, one member of the State Investigation Agency, and a tailor.
Authorities revealed that the explosion was triggered by the unstable nature of the chemicals, which had been brought from Faridabad in Haryana as part of the 360 kg of explosives recovered from the residence of arrested accused Dr. Muzammil Ganaie. The massive blast caused significant damage to the police station and disrupted rescue operations due to successive minor detonations.
At least 24 police officers and three civilians were admitted to various hospitals in Srinagar following the incident. The bodies have been taken to the Police Control Room for further procedures.
Investigations into the terror module began after threatening posters appeared on walls in Bunpora, Nowgam, in mid-October. Srinagar police meticulously analyzed CCTV footage, which led to the arrest of initial suspects Arif Nisar Dar (alias Sahil), Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar (alias Shahid). Their interrogations uncovered a network involving Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned preacher, who is believed to have radicalized members of the medical community.
The trail ultimately reached Al Falah University in Faridabad, where authorities arrested Dr. Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed, seizing a substantial cache of chemicals including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur. Investigators suspect that the terror module was primarily orchestrated by a core group of doctors, with several others under scrutiny.
This incident has left the city in shock, highlighting the dangers posed by illicit explosives and the bravery of officials working tirelessly to protect public safety.
