J&K SIA raids Kashmir Times Jammu office; editors call action an attack on Press freedom
PTC Web Desk: The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Thursday carried out a search operation at the Jammu premises of the Kashmir Times. During the raid, officials claimed to have found several suspicious items, including AK-47 ammunition, pistol cartridges, and pins believed to be from hand grenades. The action is linked to an FIR accusing the newspaper and its management of involvement in activities deemed anti-national.
SIA personnel reportedly scanned various sections of the office and inspected computer systems to trace digital evidence. Sources indicated that the agency may summon the publication’s promoters for questioning soon.
Reacting to the raids, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh Choudhary urged a balanced approach. He said, “If there is evidence of wrongdoing, the law will take its due course. But using such measures merely to exert pressure would be unacceptable.”
Founded in 1954 by veteran journalist Ved Bhasin, Kashmir Times has long been perceived as having an editorial line sympathetic to separatist voices. After Bhasin’s passing, his daughter, Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal, and her husband, Prabodh Jamwal, assumed leadership of the publication. Both are currently outside the country. While the newspaper’s Jammu print edition has been non-operational since 2021–22, its online platform continues to publish. Ved Bhasin had earlier been named during the controversy surrounding Ghulam Nabi Fai’s terror seminar network.
Editors term raid an attack on media independence
In a strongly worded joint statement, Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal and Prabodh Jamwal denounced the SIA action, calling it an attempt to stifle independent journalism. They said, “Questioning those in power is not a crime. A free and critical press is essential for any democracy. These accusations are meant to scare and delegitimise us, but we will not be cowed down.”
The editors demanded that the charges be dropped and called upon journalists, civil society groups and citizens to stand in solidarity. Reiterating their commitment, they said they would continue to pursue truthful and independent reporting despite mounting pressure.
- With inputs from agencies
