Srinagar, Nov 15 : Hundreds of people gathered in Muqam Shahwali, Drugmulla on Saturday evening to bid farewell to Jammu and Kashmir Police Inspector Shah Asrar-ul-Haq, one of the nine victims of the accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station.
The entire village was drowned in sorrow as people came out to pay their last respects to an officer remembered for his gentle nature and commitment to duty.
Inspector Shah, known in service as Israr Ahmad Shah, joined the Jammu & Kashmir Police in 2011 and was serving with the State Investigation Agency (SIA).
He is survived by his wife, two young children and elderly parents, all devastated by his sudden death.
As the news of his death spread quickly across Drugmulla and Kupwara, and people rushed to his home.
The courtyard soon filled with neighbours, relatives and friends, many of them crying inconsolably.
“He was like a younger brother to all of us,” said neighbour Ghulam Mohammad. “Soft-spoken, gentle and always respectful. We haven’t just lost an officer, we have lost a wonderful human being.”
Inspector Shah’s body reached the village in the evening. As the vehicle arrived, loud cries broke out. Women hugged each other tightly, while men tried to control their tears. Some carried children who were too young to understand what had happened.
The funeral prayers were held at the local Eidgah, where a large crowd gathered. Officers from the district administration, senior police officials, and members of different security agencies attended the funeral, reflecting the respect Shah had earned in his career.
“It is a devastating loss for the entire force,” said a senior police officer at the funeral. “Inspector Shah was honest, dedicated and always ready to take up difficult assignments.”
Many villagers shared similar sentiments, recalling how he never hesitated to help anyone who came to him.
As Inspector Shah was lowered into his grave, many broke down. Children stood quietly, watching the tricolour-draped coffin. Elderly men whispered prayers as tears rolled down their faces.
“He was the pride of our village,” said Abdul Rashid, an elder. “We saw him grow from a bright boy into a brave officer. Today, the whole of Kupwara is mourning.”
For his family, the pain is unimaginable. For his colleagues, the loss is deeply felt. And for the people of his village, Inspector Shah Asrar-ul-Haq will always be remembered as a humble, dedicated officer — a son of Kashmir who served with honour.
Earlier in the day Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat said the explosion took place during a standard procedure of examining seized explosives.
“As part of the procedure, samples had to be prepared for forensic and chemical testing,” he explained. “The team had been working for two days due to the large quantity. Unfortunately, at around 11:20 pm on Friday, an accidental explosion occurred. Any other speculation is unnecessary.”
The DGP confirmed that nine people lost their lives and 32 were injured, including 27 police personnel, two revenue officers and three civilians.
