At least 8 killed in huge blast at a police station in Indian-controlled Kashmir

A devastating explosion at a police station in Srinagar, the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir, has resulted in at least eight fatalities and 27 injuries, according to authorities. The incident occurred late Friday in the Nowgam area when forensic experts and police officers were examining a cache of confiscated explosives. The powerful blast destroyed the police station, ignited fires across the compound, and damaged multiple vehicles. Rescue efforts were hampered by subsequent smaller explosions, delaying the bomb disposal squad’s response. Most of the victims were police and forensic personnel, with several injured individuals reported to be in critical condition. This tragedy follows a car explosion in New Delhi earlier in the week, which claimed eight lives and was labeled a terror attack by Indian officials. The Srinagar explosion is believed to be connected to an ongoing investigation into a suspected militant cell operating from Kashmir to the outskirts of New Delhi. Recent raids in Kashmir have led to arrests and the seizure of weapons and bomb-making materials. The explosive material involved in the police station blast was reportedly part of the evidence collected during these operations. The Kashmir region remains a contentious issue between India and Pakistan, with both nations claiming sovereignty over the territory. Militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir have been resisting New Delhi’s rule since 1989, with India accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism, a claim Pakistan denies. Many Kashmiris view the conflict as a legitimate struggle for freedom.