Is This a Wake-up Call for the Centre? Kharge Responds to Nowgam Police Station Blast
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Nowgam police station blast tragically claimed nine lives.
- Mallikarjun Kharge called for stronger anti-terror measures.
- The incident highlights the urgent need for government accountability.
- Further investigations are underway regarding the explosion.
- There is a need for a united front against terrorism.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (NationPress) Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed profound sorrow on Saturday regarding the explosion at the Nowgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) Srinagar, which resulted in the tragic loss of lives and numerous injuries. He emphasized that this incident serves as a "wake-up call" for the Centre to enhance its Intelligence and anti-terrorism frameworks.
Official sources confirmed that nine individuals lost their lives, and 29 others sustained injuries due to the significant accidental explosion at the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar.
According to the same sources, the explosives that detonated were confiscated during a raid in Faridabad when authorities dismantled a white-collar terror network.
In a statement on X, Kharge said, "It is extremely disconcerting and sad to know that 9 precious lives have been lost and 29 people have been injured in a blast at a police station in Nowgam, Jammu & Kashmir. My deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. The injured must receive prompt medical attention, and proper compensation should be extended to the victims."
He pointed out that this tragedy follows closely on the heels of the "cowardly" car blast terrorist attack near the Red Fort in Delhi, and stated that this "is a wake-up call for the Union Government to bolster its Intelligence and anti-terror measures. It cannot evade accountability."
"The Indian National Congress stands united with the nation against the scourge of terrorism. In light of the recent Red Fort attack, there is an urgent necessity to convene an all-party meeting to address the escalating threat of terrorism, which continues to receive backing from external entities," he stressed.
On the other hand, Jammu and Kashmir DGP, Nalin Prabhat, labeled the explosion at the Nowgam police station as unfortunate, dismissing any "terror link". He suggested that other theories regarding the cause of the incident were merely "unnecessary speculation".
The DGP disclosed at a press conference held at the Police Control Room (PCR), "A substantial amount of explosive material from Faridabad was secured at Nowgam Police Station in an open space. Due to the large quantity recovered, the sampling of the explosives has been ongoing for the last two days to prepare for further forensic and chemical analysis."
"Given the volatile and sensitive nature of the explosives, handling was conducted with the utmost caution. Regrettably, around 11:20 PM on Friday, an accidental explosion occurred. Any further speculation about the cause of this incident is unwarranted. Tragically, nine lives have been lost as a result of this incident," he added.
Further investigations are currently ongoing.