Srinagar Blast Kills 7, Uncovers Faridabad Terror Plot

Accidental Explosion Shakes Srinagar

A powerful explosion at the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar has claimed the lives of seven people and left over two dozen injured. The blast occurred late Friday night while police and forensic teams were examining explosives seized from Faridabad. Officials confirmed that the chemicals were part of a massive 2,900 kg cache recovered during an investigation into a terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

Widespread Damage at the Police Station

The initial blast triggered several smaller explosions, severely damaging the police station and shattering windows across the building. The incident disrupted the normally quiet neighbourhood, prompting a swift emergency response from police and medical teams.

Injuries and Ongoing Medical Care

At least 27 people were injured, including 24 police personnel and three civilians. Many victims are receiving treatment in Srinagar hospitals for burns and blast-related trauma. Authorities are assessing the full extent of the damage and the potential risks posed by remaining explosive materials.

Explosives Linked to Faridabad Terror Module

The explosives being examined were transported from Faridabad, Haryana, and were part of a white-collar terror module investigation. The seized cache had previously exposed a network of individuals connected to terror operations across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Massive Chemical Cache

Investigators had recovered 360 kg of chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulfur, from a rented residence associated with Dr. Muzammil Ganaie. Overall, the module had amassed approximately 3,000 kg of explosives and bomb-making equipment before being intercepted by authorities.

How the Case Unfolded

Threat Posters Raise Alarm

The investigation began after posters threatening security forces appeared in Bunpora, Nowgam, in mid-October. This prompted Srinagar Police to file a case on October 19.

CCTV Footage Leads to Arrests

Detailed analysis of CCTV footage helped identify three initial suspects—Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid—who had past involvement in stone-pelting incidents and were seen distributing threat posters.

Interrogation Reveals Deeper Network

The questioning of the trio led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian. Authorities claim he provided the posters and radicalized young doctors by exploiting his position in the medical community.

Doctors at the Core: Faridabad Connection

The investigation traced the module to Al Falah University in Faridabad, where doctors Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Shaheen Sayeed were arrested along with a massive haul of explosives. Police believe the core of the module involved three doctors: Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, Dr. Umar Nabi, and Dr. Muzzaffar Rather, with a fourth doctor, Dr. Adeel Rather, arrested separately in connection with an AK-56 rifle.

Link to Delhi Blast

The Nowgam explosion comes just four days after a deadly car explosion in Delhi that claimed 13 lives. CCTV footage suggests that Umar, a member of the same terror module, was involved in the Delhi incident. Officials speculate that panic following the crackdown by security forces may have prompted the car blast near Red Fort.

Investigation Continues

Authorities continue to probe whether the Srinagar blast was accidental or deliberate. Meanwhile, the scale of the chemical seizure and the extensive network of individuals involved highlight the seriousness of the threat posed by this Faridabad-linked terror module.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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