SIA Raids Kashmir Times Office in Jammu Over Alleged Links to Secessionist Activities

Jammu, Nov 2025 : The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Thursday conducted extensive searches at the Jammu office of Kashmir Times, one of the oldest English-language newspapers in the region, as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged “criminal conspiracy” and suspected connections with secessionist and anti-national networks.

The raids began around 6 a.m. at the publication’s Residency Road office. Officials said the SIA team recovered a revolver, 14 empty AK-series cartridge cases, three live AK rounds, four fired bullets, three grenade safety levers, and three suspected pistol magazines during the operation.

Owners and editors Anuradha Bhasin and her husband Prabodh Jamwal — both currently believed to be in the United States — issued a strong condemnation of the searches. Calling the accusations “baseless”, “intimidatory”, and “a deliberate attempt to silence independent media voices”, they urged authorities to “stop the harassment, withdraw fabricated allegations, and uphold constitutional protections of press freedom”.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary defended the SIA’s actions, stating that such operations are carried out “only when solid grounds exist, not to exert undue pressure”.

The searches come shortly after J&K Police claimed to have dismantled a terror module operating from Faridabad, which allegedly involved at least three doctors from Jammu & Kashmir. Another suspect linked to the case was believed to be driving the vehicle that exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, killing nine people.

Founded in 1954 by veteran journalist Ved Bhasin, Kashmir Times halted its print edition from Jammu in recent years and now publishes primarily through digital platforms.

According to officials, the SIA has levelled several serious charges against the organisation, including disseminating terrorist or secessionist ideology, publishing inflammatory or fabricated content, attempting to radicalise young people, inciting separatist sentiments, disturbing public order, and challenging India’s sovereignty through its print and online publications.

Sources said the SIA first summoned office manager Sanjeev Kerni to unlock the premises. Later, around noon, officials took him to the Gandhi Nagar residence of Jamwal, where searches continued for nearly two hours. The residence, belonging to Ved Bhasin’s daughter and former Cluster University Vice-Chancellor Anju Bhasin, was also examined; she is currently abroad.

Investigators reviewed documents, electronic devices, and other material, and may summon Anuradha Bhasin for questioning as the probe into suspected separatist propaganda networks continues.