9 killed, 29 injured in massive explosion in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least nine people were killed and around 30 others injured in a massive explosion inside a police station in Indian-controlled Kashmir, local media reports said on Saturday.

The explosion took place late Friday at Nowgam police station in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, according to the Indian Express. Officials warned the toll could rise.

Following the explosion, a fire engulfed the building and several vehicles parked inside its premises. Video footage from the area shows the blast ripping through the building, sending flames and thick smoke into the air.

According to a local television news channel India Today, the explosion happened while policemen and forensic teams were handling the explosive material brought from Faridabad (Haryana) and stored inside the police station as part of the investigation into the recent car bomb explosion in Delhi.

Another media report said most of those killed at the police station are policemen and forensic team officials, who were examining the explosives.

Police have not issued any statement on the explosion so far.

Immediately after the blast, many fire tenders and ambulances were rushed to the police station to douse the fire and remove the injured to the nearest hospitals.

A deadly car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday killed eight people on the spot and injured 20 others. However, local media reports later put the death toll at 13.

(With input from Xinhua)