This Is Our Mistake – Farooq Abdullah on Nowgam Police Station Blast

Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has expressed deep regret over the Nowgam Police Station explosion, calling it “our mistake” and urging a thorough, independent investigation. He criticized the handling of the explosive materials, insisting that experts should have been consulted rather than local authorities managing it themselves — a lapse he believes contributed to the tragic outcome. 

Abdullah’s remarks came as at least nine people lost their lives and dozens were injured in the blast, which authorities now say was accidental. According to J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat, highly unstable explosive substances, seized earlier from Faridabad, had been stored in an open area of the Nowgam station and were being examined when the explosion occurred. 

Abdullah pointed out that the tragedy could have been averted had trained specialists handled the explosives. “This is our mistake, those who understand this explosive better, we should have talked to them first about how to deal with it instead of trying to handle it ourselves… nine people lost their lives,” he lamented. 

He also linked the Nowgam blast to a growing climate of suspicion towards Kashmiris, particularly in the aftermath of a recent Delhi explosion. Abdullah asked: “When will that day come when they will accept that we are Indians and we are not responsible for this?” He implored authorities to demand accountability and transparency: “There is a need for a thorough investigation and study of this,” he said. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has echoed concerns about the nature of the material involved, clarifying that the explosion resulted from the volatile quality of the seized substances and confirming there is no terror link, calling the incident accidental. 

In his public statement, Abdullah also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and stressed that such a lapse in handling should never happe

n again.