SRINAGAR: J&K CM Omar Abdullah said Tuesday he was hopeful an ongoing probe would explain how a late-night blast tore through Srinagar’s Nowgam police station Friday, killing nine and wounding 30. Police earlier described the explosion as accidental.“It is sad so many lost their precious lives — police personnel, FSL staff, civil administration workers, and even people with no link to govt, like a tailor,” Omar told reporters after visiting a private hospital treating the wounded. “How did it happen? Why did it happen? The investigation has begun. I hope people will get answers, because this should not have happened.”The police station had recently probed alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed posters in Nowgam’s Bonpora locality on Oct 19, a case that exposed an alleged interstate terrorist module involving doctors and others. That network is linked to the Nov 10 New Delhi car blast.Omar pressed for clarity on the explosives. “How was such a large quantity brought here? Under what circumstances was it brought? In what conditions was it kept? Under what circumstances was it being handled? Slowly, we will get answers,” he said. The blast levelled the station, killing a special investigation agency officer, three forensic science laboratory personnel, two revenue officials, and a tailor attached to the premises. Thirty others — 27 policemen, two revenue staffers, and three civilians — were wounded.Omar also visited families of those killed. “This tragedy has taken away people who served with sincerity and courage. Their loss is a loss for all of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said. He promised full support to the families “in this hour of unimaginable pain.”On Monday, LG Manoj Sinha ruled out any alleged terrorist plot or outside interference. Sinha praised J&K police for dismantling what he called “a pan-India terrorist module” and said their work had “saved countless lives by preventing a series of planned attacks across the country”.He expressed “profound grief” over the Nowgam deaths. “Tragically, we lost brave J&K police personnel and officials. I extend heartfelt solidarity to the bereaved families.”
