Srinagar| WTNS | Nov 15: Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat, on Saturday said the explosion that ripped through Nowgam Police Station late Friday night was accidental.

According to the DGP, a substantial quantity of explosives and chemical materials recovered during an ongoing investigation had been stored at the police station as per standard procedure. Due to the sensitivity of the materials, handling and sampling for forensic analysis were being carried out with extreme caution.

Prabhat said the blast claimed nine lives, including an officer of the State Investigation Agency (SIA), three personnel from the Forensic Science Laboratory, two crime scene photographers, two revenue officials, and a tailor associated with the team. Another 27 people, both police personnel and civilians, were injured and are receiving treatment at various hospitals.

He confirmed that the police station building was extensively damaged, and nearby structures were also affected by the explosion.

“J&K Police extends its support to the families of those killed and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured,” the DGP said, adding that investigations into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.

A Naib Tehsildar was among 9 dead and 29 others were injured after a high-intensity blast ripped through Nowgam police station in Srinagar late last night, officials said.

As per reports of Wilayat Times, the injured have been admitted to Army’s 92 Base hospital in Srinagar and SKIMS Soura for treatment, while some have been admitted to a local private hospital for treatment.