Nowgam Blast in J&K During Probe of Faridabad Terror Explosives

Srinagar, Nov 15, 2025: Nine people were killed in a devastating blast at Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday, authorities confirmed. The explosion occurred as forensic experts were extracting samples from a large cache of explosives recovered earlier from Faridabad, Haryana, during a crackdown on a terror module.

Among the victims were members of the Special Investigation Team (SIA), Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) personnel, crime scene photographers, revenue officials, and a tailor associated with the investigative team. J&K Police Chief Nalin Prabhat said the incident was accidental but directly linked to the explosives seized in Haryana.

The explosives, part of a 2,900 kg consignment recovered from the houses of suspects in Faridabad, had been seized as part of a broader investigation into an inter-state Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror module. The module was implicated in a series of threats and attacks, including the Red Fort blast in Delhi, which claimed at least ten lives earlier this month.

Police investigations revealed that the explosives recovered in Faridabad were connected to a network supporting urban terror cells in Jammu and Kashmir. The primary seizure included 2,563 kg of explosive material from the house of Hafeez Mohammad Ishtiaq, a local imam, followed by an additional 358 kg of explosives, detonators, and timers from nearby locations.

Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the terror module, including clerics, doctors, and local residents across Nowgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, and Kulgam. Authorities also uncovered JeM posters and other paraphernalia during follow-up raids. The investigation highlighted links to individuals previously involved in Red Fort-related plots, including Dr Umar un Nabi, who allegedly triggered a related blast in Delhi using the same type of explosives.

The blast at Nowgam police station underscores the high risks faced by security and forensic personnel while handling large quantities of seized explosives. Residents of Srinagar expressed shock at the tragedy, and police have launched a detailed probe into the incident to ensure all safety protocols were followed.

Authorities emphasized that the incident is part of ongoing nationwide operations targeting terror modules connected to JeM and other extremist networks. The discovery and seizure of explosives in Faridabad were considered a major breakthrough, but Friday’s tragic accident highlights the continued dangers posed by terrorist stockpiles.

As investigations continue, authorities have urged vigilance in handling explosive materials and reassured the public that efforts to dismantle terror networks across states remain a top priority.