By Indo-Asian News Service
Srinagar: At least five policemen were wounded in a powerful blast and subsequent fire in a heavily guarded police station in Srinagar Wednesday afternoon.
“There was a powerful explosion inside the Nowgam police station,” said a senior police officer.
“We are trying to ascertain whether or not there is a militant involvement. There is also a report that the seized explosives in the police armoury exploded leading to a major fire that engulfed the police station building.”
“We have reports five cops were wounded in the blast and blaze,” he added.
Witnesses said they heard several explosions after the initial blast.
Police guards responded by firing several rounds in the air leading to panic in the area.
Senior police and security force officers rushed to the spot and the entire police station area – near the residence of former chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed – was cordoned off.
Fire tenders reached the spot and efforts were on to control the blaze.