Srinagar/Jammu: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of the Jammu & Kashmir Police on Thursday carried out a major raid at the Jammu office of the Kashmir Times over allegations of “anti-national activities,” setting off a fresh controversy over press freedom in the region.
Officials said the search, which began early in the day, led to the recovery of AK-47 cartridges, pistol rounds and grenade levers from the premises. An FIR has been filed accusing the newspaper of promoting secessionist narratives, spreading disaffection and undermining India’s sovereignty. Executive Editor Anuradha Bhasin has also been named in the case.
#Jammu ; The J&K Police’s SIA recovered –
• AK-47
• Pistol
• Grenade
• Several Cartridges
In a raid at the Kashmir Times newspaper office in Jammu.The FIR names editor Anuradha Bhasin who has long been propagating anti-India and pro-Islamist narratives. pic.twitter.com/6YAFbKMuHQ
— Kanwaljit Arora (@mekarora) November 20, 2025
Investigators said they are examining suspected links and activities that could “pose a threat to national security,” adding that the raid was part of a wider probe into anti-state networks.
Founded in 1954 by journalist Ved Bhasin, the Kashmir Times is one of J&K’s oldest and most influential newspapers, now functioning largely as a digital outlet after its print operations were suspended in 2021–22.
Editors Denounce Raids as ‘Intimidation Tactics’
In a strongly worded joint statement, senior editors Prabodh Jamwal and Anuradha Bhasin slammed the charges as an attempt to muzzle critical reporting.
“We will not be silenced. Targeting us does not erase the truth we report,” they said, describing the raid as a calculated effort to delegitimise independent journalism at a time when dissent is rapidly shrinking.
The editors argued that holding the government accountable cannot be equated with being anti-national.
“A questioning press strengthens democracy. Investigating corruption or highlighting marginalised voices is not treason,” the statement read.
They urged authorities to withdraw what they called “baseless allegations,” and appealed to civil society, journalists and the public to stand in solidarity as press freedoms face mounting pressure.
Press Freedom Concerns Grow
The raid has raised alarms among media organisations and rights groups, with several calling for transparency in the investigation and cautioning against criminalising journalistic work. Critics warn that such actions could have a chilling effect on independent reporting in the Union Territory.
As the SIA continues its probe, the case has emerged as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate between national security claims and the protection of media freedoms — a debate that the Kashmir Times says goes to the heart of journalism’s survival in the region.
