Jammu, Nov 20 – The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu & Kashmir Police conducted a raid on the Jammu office of Kashmir Times at Residency Road on Wednesday, recovering AK rifle cartridges, pistol rounds, hand-grenade pins, and other items, official sources told IANS.
The raid comes as part of an investigation into alleged activities by the newspaper that authorities claim were “against the country.” SIA teams examined the premises and computer systems after registering a case against the publication and its promoters. Officials indicated that the promoters are likely to be questioned as the probe progresses.
The agency stated that the raid was conducted in connection with allegations that Kashmir Times had glorified acts deemed anti-national. While authorities are moving forward with the investigation, political leaders and press advocates have expressed concern over potential overreach.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary emphasized that any action must be strictly evidence-based. “If they have done something wrong, then action should be taken. But it should not be done just to exert pressure. That would be wrong,” he said.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti, daughter of party chief Mehbooba Mufti, condemned the raid, highlighting the newspaper’s history of fearless reporting. “Kashmir Times is one of the rare newspapers in Kashmir that spoke truth to power and refused to bend under pressure. Raiding their offices under the guise of anti-national activities is preposterous and reeks of high-handedness,” she said.
PDP youth president Aditya Gupta echoed her sentiments, invoking the legacy of the newspaper’s founder, Ved Bhasin, and its current editor, Anuradha Bhasin. “For decades, Kashmir Times exposed human rights abuses, disappearances, governance failures, and major political shifts. Through threats and pressures, the newspaper has remained unshaken,” he said.
The raid has sparked widespread debate over press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir, with critics warning against targeting media outlets under vague allegations of anti-national activity, stressing the need for transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
