Srinagar, Nov 18: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited Cygnus Ujala Hospital to meet victims injured in the explosion at Nowgam Police Station and urged authorities to provide the public with clear and credible answers about how such a large quantity of explosive material was present inside a police facility.
Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, Abdullah said the scale of destruction and the diverse range of victims made a detailed investigation imperative. The incident killed police personnel, forensic specialists and other government employees, as well as civilians who had no connection to the police station.
“A tailor, a photographer and several government staffers have lost their lives. Families have been devastated. People deserve to know how this happened and why it happened,” he said.
Abdullah said investigators must clarify the circumstances under which explosive material was brought into the premises, stored, and examined. “A huge quantity of explosives was present there. In what condition was it brought, in what condition was it kept and in what condition was it being handled? These are questions that must be answered,” he said.
The Chief Minister commended the rapid response of medical staff at Cygnus Ujala Hospital. He said the hospital team acted even before formal requests for assistance arrived. “They saw the explosion and fire from their window and immediately dispatched an ambulance. Their team was the first to reach the site and they rescued many of the injured. Their work deserves recognition,” he said. Four patients remain in the intensive care unit, while several others are undergoing treatment.
Abdullah said the administration has already released initial compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and assessments for structural damage to nearby houses are underway. He added that support from the Home Department and funds available to the Lieutenant Governor should also be directed to affected families.
The Chief Minister said he raised the issue at the North Zone Chief Ministers’ Conference in the presence of India’s Union Home Minister and senior federal officials. He urged them to avoid casting broad suspicion on locals, particularly Kashmiri Muslims. “Those who are responsible must be punished. But innocent people, who have consistently raised their voice against violence, should not be targeted,” he said.
He also referred to the government’s compensation scheme for bereaved families, saying the administration should promptly process a case for the family of the deceased tailor. “Once the file reaches us, we will approve it,” he said.
Abdullah stressed that the investigation must be driven by evidence rather than conjecture. “The public has the right to know the truth. Those responsible must face the law, but no one should draw conclusions before the investigation is completed,” he said. “We hope people will get the answers they deserve.” (KNT)
CM calls for transparent inquiry
