PDP leader Iltija Mufti questioned why such a large quantity of ammonium nitrate was stored in a crowded locality for four days. “It is negligence on the part of the police. There should be an inquiry into why such a large quantity of explosives was kept in a police station in a densely populated area for so many days,” she said.

Mufti also criticised the presence of civilians during the sampling. “Why were civilians, including the Naib Tehsildar, taken there when they don’t know how to seal ammonium nitrate? This was extremely dangerous and an accident waiting to happen."

She said that there was a huge lapse of judgment, and heads should roll

National Conference MP Ruhullah Mehdi called the incident a “big lapse” and demanded a thorough investigation. “Handling highly explosive material with insensitivity and unprofessionalism must be probed. Responsibility should be fixed at every level. They should prove it was an accidental blast, and if so, justice for the victims means holding accountable those whose negligence led to this tragedy,” he said.

BJP leader Ravindra Raina also called for a detailed inquiry into the incident.

The victims include SIA Inspector 37-year-old Asrar Ahmad Shah R/o Kupwara; 33-yr-old Arshad Ahmad Shah, a Crime Branch photographer from Kulgam;  Javaid Mansoor Rather, 40, a crime photographer from Tral, Pulwama; Naib Tehsildar Muzaffer Ahmad Khan, 33, R/o Soibug, Budgam; Suhail Ahmad Rather, a chowkidar R/o Natipora, Srinagar; Tailor Mohammad Shafi Parray, who had been called to police station to assist in sample collection; and constables Aijaz Ahmad, Mohammad Amin and Showkat Ahmad Shah of FSL, Srinagar