Nowgam Blast Probe: Preliminary Inquiry Suggests Accidental Blast, No Terror Link, Say Police

This report provides an update on the Nowgam Police Station blast probe in Jammu and Kashmir, where investigators are examining the cause of the explosion involving 360 kg of seized ammonium nitrate. The preliminary inquiry points towards an accidental blast with no immediate terror link, possibly triggered by a liquid explosive mixture of hydrogen peroxide and acetophenone during a sampling process. Jammu and Kashmir Police have stated it was an accidental blast, but a final determination awaits reports from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and the National Security Guard (NSG) bomb disposal team. Reporter Mir Pari notes that 'anything concrete and decisive will come after the report'. The investigation is also considering whether excessive lighting at the location could have been a contributing factor to the detonation.