New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday expressed grief over the accidental blast inside the Nowgam police station in Srinagar that killed nine people and injured 29 others, calling it a “wake-up call” for the Centre to strengthen intelligence and anti-terror mechanisms.

Official sources said the explosion occurred late Friday night after explosive material seized during a recent raid in Faridabad — linked to a busted “white-collar” terror module — accidentally went off inside the police station.

In a post on X, Kharge said, “It is extremely disconcerting and sad to know that nine precious lives have been lost and 29 people 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 be treated with prompt medical care, and adequate compensation must be provided.”

He said the incident came just days after the car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, urging the Union Government to take responsibility. “This is a wake-up call for the Union government to strengthen intelligence and anti-terror mechanisms. It cannot run away from accountability,” Kharge said, adding that Congress stands united against terrorism and called for an all-party meeting to address the growing threat.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat ruled out any terror link to the incident, describing it as an accident.

Addressing reporters at the Police Control Room, he said, “A huge quantity of explosive material from Faridabad was brought to Nowgam Police Station and stored securely in an open space. Sampling of the explosive material had been underway for two days for forensic and chemical examination.”

He said that due to the unstable nature of the seized explosives, an accidental explosion occurred around 11.20 pm on Friday. “Any further speculation into the cause of the incident is unnecessary. Unfortunately, nine people have lost their lives,” he added.

Further investigation into the explosion is underway, officials said.

With inputs from IANS