Nine lives lost in Kashmir police station blast as explosives detonate.
A devastating blast ripped through a police station in Indian-controlled Kashmir late on Friday, claiming nine lives and leaving 32 injured. The explosion occurred while a team of forensic experts and police were examining seized explosives in the Nowgam area of Srinagar, the region's main city. Police Director General Nalin Prabhat attributed the incident to an "accidental explosion," rather than foul play.
The majority of those killed were police officers and forensic officials, while some injured victims were in critical condition. The blast set the police station ablaze and charred multiple vehicles, with local media reporting that subsequent explosions hindered immediate rescue efforts.
This latest tragedy comes on the heels of a deadly car bombing in New Delhi just days ago, which claimed at least eight lives near the historic Red Fort. Indian authorities described it as a "heinous terror incident" carried out by anti-national forces.
In the hours preceding the blast, police had dismantled a suspected militant cell operating from Kashmir, arresting seven individuals β including two doctors from Indian cities β and seizing a large quantity of bomb-making materials in Faridabad. Following this, security agencies have conducted numerous raids across Kashmir as part of their investigation into the car bombing, questioning hundreds and detaining dozens.
The seized explosives were brought to Kashmir for investigation purposes, supposedly kept in an open area at the police station where the suspected militant cell was dismantled last month. A team of forensic experts was taking samples when the blast occurred, labeling it an "unfortunate accident."
A devastating blast ripped through a police station in Indian-controlled Kashmir late on Friday, claiming nine lives and leaving 32 injured. The explosion occurred while a team of forensic experts and police were examining seized explosives in the Nowgam area of Srinagar, the region's main city. Police Director General Nalin Prabhat attributed the incident to an "accidental explosion," rather than foul play.
The majority of those killed were police officers and forensic officials, while some injured victims were in critical condition. The blast set the police station ablaze and charred multiple vehicles, with local media reporting that subsequent explosions hindered immediate rescue efforts.
This latest tragedy comes on the heels of a deadly car bombing in New Delhi just days ago, which claimed at least eight lives near the historic Red Fort. Indian authorities described it as a "heinous terror incident" carried out by anti-national forces.
In the hours preceding the blast, police had dismantled a suspected militant cell operating from Kashmir, arresting seven individuals β including two doctors from Indian cities β and seizing a large quantity of bomb-making materials in Faridabad. Following this, security agencies have conducted numerous raids across Kashmir as part of their investigation into the car bombing, questioning hundreds and detaining dozens.
The seized explosives were brought to Kashmir for investigation purposes, supposedly kept in an open area at the police station where the suspected militant cell was dismantled last month. A team of forensic experts was taking samples when the blast occurred, labeling it an "unfortunate accident."