Visits families, injured persons of Nowgam blast
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday advocated stringent punishment for all those involved in the “white collar” terror module and Delhi blast case, but urged that innocent civilians should not be harmed.
“I raised the issue yesterday at the North Zone Chief Minister’s conference as well. Union Home Minister was there, Union Home Secretary, CMs of north zone, governors, LGs, were there.
“I appealed to them to not see every citizen of J-K, especially every Kashmiri Muslim, with suspicion,” the CM told reporters after visiting a hospital here to inquire about those injured in the accidental blast in the Nowgam police station on Friday.
Last week, Abduallah said that those behind the Delhi blast should be given the strictest punishment, but emphasised that the entire population of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be branded as sympathisers of terrorism.
A blast in an explosives-laden car, which was being driven by Dr Umar Nabi, who hailed from south Kashmir’s Pulwama, near the Red Fort in Delhi killed 15 people and injured several others on November 10.
Abdullah said while those involved in the module, especially in the Delhi blast, be arrested and given stringent punishment, “innocent people, who have no connection with it and have always raised their voice against violence, should not be brought into this ambit”.
The chief minister expressed hope that the Centre will pay heed to what he said.
Referring to the Nowgam blast, the CM said it is unfortunate that many people lost their precious lives and several others were injured.
“The investigations are on to ascertain the cause and why it happened. I hope people will get answers, because it should not happen. Such a huge quantity of explosives was brought here, in which conditions was it transported and stored, and how was it being dealt with, we will gradually get answers to all these questions, but I express my sympathies and condolences to all those families who lost their kin,” he said.
Abdullah said he is grateful to the hospital for reaching out to the injured immediately after the blast.
“They did not wait for a phone call… saw the blast through their window, took out their ambulances, and reached the spot before anyone else, and took the injured from there. Many of the injured are in their hospital, four are in ICU, I hope all of them get well and go home,” he added.
Asked about providing compensation to the families of the victims, the chief minister sad the government has already announced ex-gratia from the CM’s relief fund.
“For the structural damage, I have talked to the MLAs, a case is being prepared and whatever we can give according to the procedure, we will, and the rest, because the blast took place in the police station, it is hoped that these house owners should get relief from the funds available with the Home Department and with the LG,” he said.
Asked if the government will provide a job to the family of the tailor, Mohammad Shafi Parray, who lost his life in the blast, Abdullah said his kin should get the job.
“There used to be SRO (Statutory Rules and Orders) for such cases, now its name has been changed, but the scheme is the same. A government job is provided as compensation to the families of those killed in such incidents. I will tell the government officers to process the case for the tailor’s family and as soon as it comes to us, we will approve it,” the CM added.
Nine people — five personnel from the police department and four civilians — were killed, and 32 others sustained injuries in an accidental blast in Nowgam police station.
During his visit to the hospital, the Chief Minister reviewed the medical condition of the injured and interacted with the doctors and attendants.
Calling for the best possible treatment, he said, “Every injured individual must receive the utmost care. Their wellbeing is our immediate priority.”
Earlier, Abdullah visited the families of Aijaz Afzal Mir at HMT Zainakote, Mohammad Amin Mir at Bemina, and Showkat Ahmad Bhat at Qamarwari ‘ all members of FSL team, Suhail Ahmad Rather at Natipora (revenue department chowkidar), and Mohammad Shafi Paray at Wanabal (tailor).
The CM expressed his deep sorrow over the irreparable loss and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace in heaven. He also prayed for strength and forbearance for the families to bear the loss.
Expressing profound grief, the CM said the tragic incident has taken away dedicated individuals who were serving the people with sincerity and courage.
“Their loss is a loss for all of Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.
He assured the families that the Government stands firmly with them, adding, “We will ensure every possible support to the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable pain.”
He assured the families of assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Chanapora Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo and other concerned.
CM Omar Abdullah today inaugurated and laid foundation stone of a number of vital infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing civic amenities and accelerating development across District Ganderbal.
He inaugurated the upgradation and widening of the Dak Bungalow Fatehpora–Gadoora road worth ₹5.2 crore and the upgradation of various link roads in Sherpathri Block costing ₹8.9 crore. He also e-inaugurated several major water supply projects, including a 70,000-gallon capacity slow sand filtration plant with allied structures at WSS Gagangeer completed at a cost of ₹119.16 lakh; a 30,000-gallon capacity slow sand filtration plant with reservoirs and treatment units at WSS Fraw Haknar completed with an investment of ₹108.09 lakh; and a 60,000-gallon capacity slow sand filtration plant at WSS Rezan along with its pipe network and related infrastructure completed at a cost of ₹121.20 lakh.
The Chief Minister later laid foundation stone for multiple upcoming projects. These include a 4 MGD common pre-settling tank along with the revamping of the water treatment plant in Ganderbal Town with an estimated outlay of ₹384 lakh; the construction of a 33/11 KV, 1×6.3 MVA receiving station at Wangath, Kangan costing ₹417 lakh; the upgradation of the road connecting Spring Naga Mohallah Shallar to Dab at Batpora, Lar with a budget of ₹181.06 lakh; the establishment of a Model Floriculture Centre at Nunnar (FPO Park) costing ₹172 lakh; and the upgradation of earthen ponds at NFSF Manasbal with a total investment of ₹308.12 lakh.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister for Health & Medical Education, Higher Education, School Education Sakina Itoo, Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Agriculture Javid Ahmed Dar, Minister for Transport Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner and SSP Ganderbal, heads of departments, district officers and other concerned officials.
These projects are being executed by Jal Shakti RWS Division Ganderbal, KPDCL Ganderbal and Public Works (R&B) Department, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and public welfare.
Later, the Chief Minister chaired a comprehensive district review meeting and DC Ganderbal presented a detailed overview of progress across various sectors. CM gave instructions to ensure adequate awareness among farmers about Fasal Bima Yojana and other government schemes. CM exhorted that dropout rate at primary school level should be brought to nil and that teachers be deployed in such cases to understand the problem. He also asked for an assessment of whether the introduction of smart classrooms has led to qualitative improvement in the education being imparted in schools. He instructed the health authorities to immediately complete registration of the already procured ambulance through the hospital development fund and make it operational without delay. Similarly, he directed the concerned Health and R&B Electric wing to ensure early operationalization of the procured CT Scan machine by completing the pending civil and electrical works.
He also emphasized the urgency of addressing traffic congestion in Ganderbal and directed the Deputy Commissioner to prepare an ideal long-term solution in consultation with the R&B Department. He further stressed expediting utilization of funds, avoiding lapses and cutting down non-essential expenditure. Regarding the SASCI scheme, he directed the Deputy Commissioner to conduct fortnightly reviews to ensure that 80 percent expenditure by end of December is achieved, which is mandatory to secure the next instalment.
The Chief Minister instructed the concerned departments to make all necessary efforts to develop Sonamarg as another major winter tourism destination in Kashmir, saying that this year would serve as a learning experience as winter tourism expands beyond Gulmarg and Pahalgam. He also directed CEO Sonamarg Development Authority to check and stop any illegal construction in the eco-fragile zone of Sonamarg.
Responding to local demand for water tankers in the district, he sanctioned two tankers from his CDF for Ganderbal.
MLA Mian Meher Ali raised several issues such as the establishment of a degree college at Gund, road connectivity improvements, drinking water coverage upgradation of schools and other public concerns. The Chief Minister asked the concerned ministers to resolve these issues in a timely manner.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore delivered a detailed presentation on recent developments and ongoing projects in the district as of November 2025. The presentation highlighted progress in urban planning, road, water and power infrastructure, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, education, social welfare and winter tourism development. It emphasized the modernization of Ganderbal town, the implementation of a ₹24.10 crore municipal work plan, significant upgrades in public amenities, expansion of health and educational institutions, improvements in the power and road sectors, and agriculture schemes benefiting thousands of farmers. The DC also gave details of steps being taken to enhance winter sports infrastructure and informed that Sonamarg would now function as a year-round destination. He further outlined progress under social security schemes, employment initiatives, industrial development and preparedness for winter operations and emergencies.
