On the night of November 14, 2025, an accidental explosion devastated the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar, killing nine people and injuring over 30 others.
The blast occurred around 11:20 p.m. as police and forensic teams were extracting samples from ammonium nitrate explosives seized from Faridabad, Haryana, linked to a recently busted terror module. The explosion shattered windows and damaged structures within a one-kilometre radius.
Officials have ruled out sabotage and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the injured and extended condolences, promising full government aid.
Personal Stories: The Tailor’s Final Duty
Among the victims was Mohammad Shafi Pare, a 57-year-old tailor revered in his local community. Pare, who ran a small tailoring shop near Wanabal Chowk, was the sole breadwinner for his wife, daughter, and two sons and also served as president of the local mosque.
He was called by police to stitch bags designed to hold the seized explosive packets during forensic examination. Despite the cold and pleas from his daughter to stay home, Pare insisted on completing the task, telling her, “I’ll finish work and come back.” He briefly returned home for prayers and dinner but left for the police station one last time, never to return.
His family and neighbours mourn a kind, dedicated man whose tragic death underscores the hidden risks ordinary citizens face in extraordinary circumstances.
Investigation and Wider Context
The ammonium nitrate explosives, part of a cache exceeding 350 kilograms, were linked to a white-collar terror module connected to Jaish-e-Mohammed operating across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The explosives had been transported to Nowgam for forensic examination as part of an ongoing probe into the terror module uncovered following threatening posters in the region.
The blast caused successive mini-explosions and heavily damaged the police station building, impeding the evidence collection effort. The National Investigation Agency is heading the inquiry, while officials emphasise revisiting safety protocols to prevent such disasters in sensitive operations.
Background: The Red Fort Blast Connection
Just days before the Nowgam explosion, Delhi witnessed a tragic blast near the iconic Red Fort metro station that killed 13 people and injured over 20. Authorities linked the blast to a terror module spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, with explosives and weapon caches seized in Faridabad.
The Red Fort explosion involved a car bomb containing ammonium nitrate, one of the same materials tied to the Nowgam police station incident. This connection highlights the growing threat posed by well-organised terror cells operating with sophisticated networks and white-collar recruits, intensifying security challenges across multiple states.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Nowgam tragedy painfully illustrates the grave dangers faced not only by security personnel but also by civilians like Mohammad Shafi Pare, who accompany efforts to uphold public safety.
It is a reminder that behind technical procedures lie human lives deserving protection through rigorous safety measures and strong institutional accountability.
