Tailor Among 9 Killed in Accidental Explosion at Nowgam Police Station: DGP, LG, CM, GoI Issue Statements

Srinagar: Family members of tailor Mohammad Shafi Parry broke down in tears as they mourned him among the nine people who lost their lives in the Nowgam Police Station blast. Nine persons were killed and 32 others were injured in a major explosion caused “accidentally” inside Srinagar’s Nowgam Police Station on Friday (November 14, 2025) night, J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat said on Saturday (November 15).

According to the police, one State Investigation Agency (SIA) official, two revenue officials part of the magistrate’s team, three forensic team personnel, two crime photographers, and one tailor were among the dead. Calling it an accidental blast, DGP Prabhat said “any other speculation into the course of this incident is unnecessary.” Police also stated that the claim of PAFF or any other Pakistani terrorist group is “patently false, baseless and mischievous.”

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the high-intensity accidental blast. In a post on X, LG Sinha said the government stands in solidarity with the families, friends, and loved ones of the departed. “Deeply anguished by the loss of precious lives due to extremely tragic accidental blast. My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. I’ve ordered a probe to ascertain the cause of the accidental explosion,” he said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic accidental explosion. “I extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of all those injured,” he said.

At least nine people died, including a State Investigation Agency (SIA) officer, a Naib Tehsildar and a tailor, while 31 others were wounded after a stockpile of explosive seized from a Faridabad terror module went off accidentally inside the police station.

The Government of India on Friday issued an official reaction to the accidental blast, with Joint Secretary (JK and Ladakh) Prashant Lokhande confirming that the explosion occurred during the handling of seized explosives recovered in a terror-related investigation. Lokhande said the incident took place at 11:20 pm on November 14, when a sudden explosion tore through the police station. He said Nowgam Police had recently busted a terror module after leads emerged from a poster, which led to the recovery of a large quantity of explosive substances and chemicals.

The seized material had been kept in the open area of the police station and was being processed and forwarded for forensic and chemical examination as per standard operating procedures. Due to the volume of the recovery, multiple agencies had been handling it for the last two days in a coordinated and scientific manner. Lokhande said the material was “unstable and sensitive” and was being handled under expert supervision.

However, during this ongoing procedure, an accidental explosion occurred, resulting in nine deaths. Twenty-seven police personnel, two revenue officials and three civilians were injured and immediately shifted to hospitals. Lokhande said the blast caused severe damage to the police station building, while several surrounding structures also suffered impact due to the intensity of the explosion. He added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.