The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted a search operation on Thursday at the Jammu office of the prominent newspaper, Kashmir Times. The agency alleged that the publication was involved in activities against the country, leading to a significant recovery of controversial items from the premises.
Recovery of Ammunition and Official Statements
According to officials, the search led to the discovery of AK rifle cartridges, pistol rounds, and hand-grenade pins, among other items. SIA teams thoroughly examined the newspaper’s office and its computer systems after formally registering a case against the publication and its promoters. Officials stated that the promoters are likely to be questioned as the investigation moves forward.
Reacting to the event, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh Choudhary emphasized that any action taken by the agencies must be evidence-based. "The agencies are doing their work. If a raid has to be conducted, it should not be done on a pick-and-choose basis. If they have done anything wrong, action should be taken, but not just to create pressure. The Press is the fourth estate, and it should get space to practice journalism," Choudhary told reporters.
Newspaper's Strong Rebuttal and Allegations of Harassment
The management of Kashmir Times issued a sharp criticism of the raids, labeling the accusations of anti-state activities as "baseless." In a joint statement, editors Prabodh Jamwal and Anuradha Bhasin described the action as a coordinated attempt to silence independent journalism in the region.
"The reported raids on our office in Jammu, the baseless accusations of activities inimical to the state and the coordinated crackdown on the Kashmir Times are yet another attempt to silence us," the editors stated. They argued that criticizing the government is a fundamental duty of the press and is not equivalent to being against the state, asserting that a robust and questioning press is essential for a healthy democracy.
The editors further alleged that the organization is being specifically targeted for its independent reporting. They highlighted the paper's long legacy, dating back to its founding in 1954 by Ved Bhasin, and its commitment to chronicling the region's history and amplifying marginalized voices. They noted that while the print edition was suspended in 2021–22 due to what they called "relentless targeting," Kashmir Times continues its digital operations.
Appeal for Support and Upholding Press Freedom
In their statement, the editors made a direct appeal to the authorities to cease the harassment and withdraw the charges. They also called upon civil society and fellow media professionals for support, framing the allegations as an intimidation tactic designed to stifle free speech.
"We call on the authorities to immediately cease this harassment, withdraw these unfounded allegations, and respect the constitutional guarantees of press freedom," they urged. The standoff between the prominent newspaper and the investigating agency highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding press freedom and national security in Jammu and Kashmir.
