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Srinagar: Nine people were killed and 29 others injured after a massive accidental explosion ripped through the Nowgam police station on the outskirts of Srinagar late Friday night, official sources said on Saturday.

According to officials, the blast occurred inside the police station building where explosives recovered from a Red Fort blast–linked terror module had been stored. These explosives had been seized in Haryana and subsequently brought to Kashmir, where the Jammu & Kashmir Police had kept them in safe custody.

Sources confirmed that personnel of the Jammu & Kashmir State Investigative Agency (SIA) were present at the police station at the time of the incident. The SIA had formally taken over the probe into the terror module connected with the Red Fort blast.

The sudden explosion triggered a massive fire, engulfing the police station structure and several parked vehicles. The impact was so intense that the sound of the blast was heard several kilometres away, causing panic in the surrounding areas.

Last month, J&K Police had launched an investigation after threatening Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) posters surfaced in Srinagar’s Bunpora Nowgam area. The subsequent probe led to the unearthing of a terror module with links across multiple states. Explosives recovered during this investigation had been stored at the Nowgam police station.

Addressing the media at a brief press conference in Srinagar, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat confirmed that nine persons had died and 32 were injured in the explosion.

“An accidental explosion has taken place,” the DGP said, adding, “Any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary. The cause for this unfortunate incident is being inquired into.” Among the deceased were an inspector of the SIA and a Naib Tehsildar posted in Srinagar.