An accidental explosion ripped through Nowgam police station here, killing nine people and injuring 27 while authorities were extracting samples from a large cache of explosives confiscated in the ‘white-collar’ terror module case, officials said on Saturday.
The tragedy struck as a team of officials was carefully extracting samples from a massive cache of explosives, part of a critical investigation into a sophisticated ‘white-collar’ terror module.
The victims, who were at the forefront of the investigative process, included three dedicated scientists from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), two officials from the Revenue Department, two police photographers, a member of the State Investigation Agency (SIA), and a local tailor. Their bodies have been moved to the Police Control Room in Srinagar as the community reels from the loss.
Authorities confirmed that the blast was triggered by the unstable nature of the chemicals, which were being handled for analysis. The explosives were part of a staggering 360 kg haul recovered from the rented residence of an arrested suspect, Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, in Faridabad, Haryana.
The force of the blast shattered the night’s calm, causing significant damage to the police station building. A series of smaller, subsequent explosions created perilous conditions, tragically delaying immediate rescue operations by the bomb disposal squad.
Currently, at least 24 police personnel and three civilians are receiving treatment for their injuries across various city hospitals.
This tragic incident is linked to a complex and alarming investigation that began in mid-October. The case was initiated after posters containing threats against police and security forces appeared in the Bunpora area of Nowgam.
Taking the threat seriously, the Srinagar police registered a formal case on October 19 and assembled a special investigation team. Through meticulous, frame-by-frame analysis of CCTV footage, investigators identified and arrested the first three suspects: Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar.
The investigation took a significant turn with the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic from Shopian who had become an Imam. Ahmad is believed to have supplied the threatening posters and used his connections within the medical community to radicalize others.
This trail of evidence ultimately led authorities to Al Falah University in Faridabad, where the two key arrests of Dr. Muzammil Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed were made. It was at this location that the enormous cache of chemicals—including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur—was seized.
Investigators now believe the entire module was orchestrated by a core trio of doctors: the arrested Dr. Ganaie; Dr. Umar Nabi, who was involved in a prior car explosion near the Red Fort; and Dr. Muzzaffar Rather, who is currently absconding. The role of an eighth arrested individual, Dr. Adeel Rather, from whom an AK-56 rifle was seized, remains under active investigation as authorities work to fully dismantle the network.
