A deadly blast at a police station in Indian-administered Kashmir killed nine people and injured 29 others during forensic examination of confiscated explosives.
SRINAGAR: A tragic incident unfolded late Friday in Indian-administered Kashmir, where a powerful explosion at a police station claimed the lives of at least nine individuals and left 29 others injured. The blast occurred during the forensic handling of confiscated explosives, according to police sources.
The explosion happened inside a police facility housing seized materials. Most of the victims were policemen, including forensic officers who were actively examining the cache. Several injured individuals are in critical condition and undergoing treatment at local hospitals.
The blast’s intensity was extreme, scattering debris and body parts across a radius of up to 200 metres. “The identification of the bodies is underway, as some have been completely burnt,” a police official said. Investigators believe the explosion was accidental, but a full inquiry has been launched to determine the exact cause.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another blast in New Delhi earlier in the week, which resulted in eight fatalities. Authorities have not linked the two incidents but are remaining vigilant amid rising concerns over handling of explosive materials in official storage facilities.
The police are now reassessing safety protocols concerning the storage and examination of seized arms and explosives. This tragic loss of life underscores the urgent need to implement tighter safeguards and modernise facilities dealing with dangerous materials.
Local authorities have launched a high-level investigation into the circumstances leading to the Kashmir police station blast, and additional forensic teams have been deployed to the site. Security has been heightened in the area as a precautionary measure.
