A powerful explosion shook Srinagar late on Friday night after a blast ripped through the Nowgam Police Station in the heart of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital. The sudden explosion sparked immediate panic in the surrounding area and ignited a massive fire that quickly engulfed parts of the police station compound. Emergency response teams scrambled to the scene within minutes as authorities assessed the unfolding situation.
According to a local police official, the blast occurred inside the police station premises and triggered an intense blaze that illuminated the area for several minutes. “A fire has engulfed the Nowgam police station compound and fire tenders have been rushed to the spot,” the official confirmed. He added that while the exact number of casualties could not be immediately determined, casualties were feared given the scale of the explosion and the ensuing fire.
Several Indian media outlets reported the incident almost instantly, sharing visuals that showed flames rising high into the night sky as firefighters battled the blaze. Thick smoke billowed from the compound while police personnel cordoned off the area to prevent civilians from approaching the danger zone.
The cause of the explosion was not immediately known, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the blast was accidental, linked to stored ammunition, or an intentional act. Preliminary details remained limited late Friday night, but senior officials indicated that more information would be released once the fire was brought under control and rescue operations concluded.
The explosion has heightened tension in the region, especially as it comes just four days after a major car blast in New Delhi, which the Indian government described as a terror-related incident. That explosion, which took place near a high-security zone in the capital, had already put security forces across the country on high alert. Friday night’s incident in Srinagar has now raised further concerns and added a sense of urgency to ongoing security reviews.
Eyewitnesses living near the Nowgam area described hearing a loud blast followed by the sight of flames. Some residents said the explosion was strong enough to shake nearby buildings and trigger panic among families who rushed outside for safety. Social media platforms also filled quickly with videos showing firefighters attempting to control the flames and police vehicles moving in and out of the compound.
As fire crews worked to bring the blaze under control, the area surrounding the police station was sealed off. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and avoid spreading unverified information until official statements were released. “We are working to control the fire, secure the site, and determine the cause,” a senior police officer said shortly after the explosion.
The Nowgam police station is one of the key operational stations in Srinagar and is known for handling both routine policing and sensitive security operations in the region. An explosion inside such a facility is likely to prompt a detailed review of safety protocols and the handling of ammunition or seized materials stored within the premises.
Officials also indicated that forensic teams would likely be deployed once the site cooled down, allowing investigators to examine debris, security footage, and other evidence to identify what triggered the explosion. Whether the blast was internal, mechanical, or deliberate will be a major focus over the coming hours.
Friday’s incident adds another layer of uncertainty to an already sensitive security environment in the region. With questions swirling around the cause, the scale of damage, and the status of any personnel inside the facility at the time, the coming hours will be critical for authorities trying to assess the full impact.
Further updates are expected once emergency response teams complete cooling operations and rescue efforts. Journalists on the ground reported that police officers were seen directing traffic away from the area and coordinating with firefighters to ensure the blaze was brought under full control.
This report draws on local updates by Fayaz Bukhari in Srinagar, with additional writing by Shivam Patel and editing by Leslie Adler.
