Srinagar: An accidental explosion at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar late Friday night injured eight police personnel, with three suffering critical injuries. The blast occurred around 11:20 PM while officers were handling a large cache of explosives seized in connection with a recent terror module investigation. The explosives, including ammonium nitrate, had been confiscated from a rented residence in Faridabad, Haryana, linked to arrested doctor Muzammil Ganaie.

The explosion caused a significant fire, damaging several vehicles parked at the police station and creating panic in the surrounding area. Ambulances were dispatched to transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Initial reports indicate that small successive explosions followed the main blast, complicating rescue efforts by the bomb disposal squad.

The police have not confirmed whether the entire 360 kg of explosives was stored at the station. The investigation into the terror module began after threatening posters targeting police and security forces appeared in Bunpora, Nowgam, in mid-October. Following this, a case was registered on October 19, leading to the formation of a special investigation team.

CCTV footage analysis helped identify suspects involved in pasting the posters, resulting in the arrests of Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar, all previously involved in stone-pelting incidents. Their interrogation led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam, who is accused of radicalising the doctors.

The investigation eventually traced back to Al Falah University in Faridabad, where Dr. Muzammil Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed were arrested. Authorities seized approximately 2,900 kg of IED-making materials, including chemicals and detonators, during the raids. The police continue to investigate the broader network involved in this terror module, which is believed to have connections to various individuals across states.