Srinagar, Nov 15 (JKNS): Srinagar was settling into its usual late-evening calm when, at around 11:20 pm, a deafening explosion ripped through the Nowgam Police Station complex, turning an ordinary November night into one of the darkest moments the city has witnessed in years.
What began as routine handling of seized material inside the police station turned catastrophic within seconds. The accidental blast tore through the building, leaving officers, officials and civilians caught in its radius. In the immediate chaos, the station courtyard usually bustling with routine work turned into a scene of dust, broken concrete, mangled metal and cries for help.
The Toll: Nine Lives Lost, Dozens Injured
By dawn, nine people were confirmed dead, among them police personnel, revenue officials, and a civilian, all of whom had been in or around the building moments before the explosion.
Another 29 individuals were injured, several with life-threatening wounds. Hospitals in Srinagar worked through the night as doctors, paramedics and attendants struggled to cope with the rush of casualties.
Families rushed from different parts of the city and south Kashmir, some finding their loved ones unconscious, others identifying them among the deceased. The blast did not just injure bodies it tore into the emotional fabric of dozens of households.
Scenes of Grief Across Srinagar
By morning, Nowgam, Qamarwari, Soibug, Kupwara and other area from where these deceased were residents of, witnessed scenes of profound grief.
Hundreds gathered for the funeral prayers of Showkat Ahmad, a lab assistant from Qamarwari, and a tailor from Nowgam, both killed in the explosion. Women wailed from balconies, young men struggled to hold back tears, and neighbours carried coffins through narrow lanes in silence broken only by sobs.
Tailor Muhammad Shafi’s wife
Her voice trembled as she recalled the final moments before the tragedy. “He left home saying he would finish a little extra work tonight. I never knew that was the last time I would hear his voice,” she said, wiping her tears.
The weight of her loss grew heavier as she looked toward her children. “How do I tell them their father is not coming back? He promised he would bring them new clothes this winter.” She had tried reaching him through the night, unaware of what had happened. “I kept calling his phone again and again… it kept ringing, but he was already gone.” Describing him as the pillar of their home, she whispered, “He worked day and night so we could live with dignity. What will I do now without him?” Her grief deepened as she remembered his work. “His hands stitched clothes for everyone in the locality… but today my hands are empty.” Struggling to speak, she finally said, “He wasn’t just my husband he was my whole world. That blast didn’t just take him, it took our entire life with it.”
Shops remained partially shut, and the mood across Srinagar was subdued. Conversations revolved around the tragedy, and social media feeds filled with condolences, shock and images of the aftermath.
Leadership Responds: LG and Army Chief Pay Homage
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reached the Police Lines in Srinagar early in the day, laying a wreath and offering solemn tributes to the nine who lost their lives. His presence, alongside senior officers, reflected the magnitude of the tragedy.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) also expressed deep sorrow, terming the deaths a “collective loss for Jammu and Kashmir,” and standing in solidarity with the bereaved families.
The government later announced ex-gratia relief, acknowledging the immense sacrifices of the victims and the void left behind.
City United in Mourning
From Nowgam to the old city, from downtown Srinagar to the hospitals where survivors remain under care, the atmosphere was thick with grief and disbelief. The tragedy reminded Kashmir of the fragile line between routine life and sudden disaster a line crossed in Nowgam at 11:20 pm.
Families now sit in mourning tents, recounting the last conversations they had with the departed. Young children ask why their father or brother isn’t returning home. And across Kashmir, people pause their day to say a silent prayer for the victims.
In the end, the Nowgam blast was not just an accident it was a night that changed lives, tested the city’s resilience, and left behind stories of bravery, heartbreak and immeasurable loss. (JKNS)