Srinagar, Mar 23 — A mysterious blast outside the residence of a former sarpanch in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district early Monday triggered a multi-agency response, with teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) rushing to the site, officials said.
No casualties were reported in the explosion, which occurred around 1:07 am in Gawala Talab area of the Ghagwal sector, nearly 10 km from the International Border.
“The incident occurred around 1.07 am when the residents of the house heard an explosion. They came outside to find that the gate had been damaged,” Samba Senior Superintendent of Police Virinder Singh Manhas told reporters.
The blast took place outside the house of former sarpanch Jai Ram Sharma, damaging the main gate, a portion of the boundary wall, and shattering window panes of several nearby houses.
A team of forensic experts collected samples from the scene to determine the cause of the explosion, officials said, adding that NIA and NSG teams, accompanied by sniffer dogs, also inspected the site.
“We have never heard such a loud explosion before. It shook the entire village and shattered the window panes of our house and nearby homes,” Sharma said, seeking a thorough investigation.
He said police recovered shrapnel and other fragments, “possibly from a bomb or some explosive.”
“The area is also close to the border, so people are scared,” he added.
Officials said the cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained. An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway.