The recent accidental explosion at the Nowgam Police Station, resulting in nine fatalities and 27 injuries, has reignited scrutiny of the area’s deep-rooted involvement with terrorist activities. The blast occurred during the handling of a substantial cache of 2,900 kg of explosive materials, including ammonium nitrate, seized from a recently uncovered international ‘white-collar’ terror module. Authorities have declared the incident accidental, a conclusion reinforced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the local police. However, the sheer magnitude of the explosion and the subsequent investigation ordered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suggest further details are being sought. The blast’s impact was felt across a 5 km radius, causing significant damage to the police station and nearby properties. Security forces are currently engaged in extensive sanitization efforts due to dispersed explosive residue. Nowgam has been under heightened security surveillance since October, following the disruption of a terror network that included medical professionals, a religious leader, and individuals associated with Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. For decades, Nowgam has served as a critical nexus for militant movement between South Kashmir and Srinagar, acting as a vital transit point and operational hub. Its strategic position in South Srinagar allows for seamless connectivity with districts like Pulwama and Shopian, known for high levels of terrorist recruitment and activity. The area’s infrastructure has historically aided militants in blending with the populace, planning attacks, and accessing Srinagar. Security agencies have a notable record in dismantling terror operations here, including the neutralization of notorious terrorist Naveed Jatt. Past incidents, such as the 2005 Jaish-e-Mohammed car bombing in Nowgam that killed 10 people, underscore the area’s vulnerability. The region’s complex terrain has also presented challenges for security forces, with historical instances of attacks on convoys.
