New Delhi, November 15: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed on Saturday that nine individuals were killed and 32 others injured in a devastating accidental explosion at the Nowgam Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir.

During a press briefing, Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary in the MHA, stated that the cause of the blast is under investigation, urging that speculation on the incident's origins be avoided.

The explosion occurred late Friday night within the premises of the Nowgam Police Station, located on the outskirts of Srinagar. According to Lokhande, a substantial quantity of explosives and chemicals had been recovered during a probe into a terror module. These were stored in a secure open area within the police station grounds.

The explosion resulted in significant casualties and damage to nearby buildings. Nine people lost their lives, including one officer from the State Investigation Agency (SIA), three forensic experts from the FSL, two crime-scene photographers, two revenue officials assisting a Magistrate’s team, and a tailor connected to the operation. The 32 injured victims were swiftly transported to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS) in Srinagar for medical attention.

Following the blast, Inspector General of the CRPF, Pawan Kumar Sharma, arrived at the scene to oversee the ongoing relief efforts and assess security protocols. The area around the police station was cordoned off by security personnel to ensure public safety, while officials continued to implement precautionary measures.

Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat also visited the site, conducting a detailed evaluation of the situation. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is still ongoing, with authorities working to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.