Indian Anti-Terror Force Raids Kashmir News Office Amid Probe

NEW DELHI – Indian counter-terrorism units conducted a raid late Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged criminal activities, authorities said. The raid comes amid heightened scrutiny of entities suspected of links with secessionist or anti-national groups operating within and outside Jammu and Kashmir.

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) said the action targeted a media office for its alleged involvement in a “criminal conspiracy with secessionist and other anti-national elements.” During the search, police reportedly seized a revolver, live ammunition, and empty bullet cases, which authorities said warranted further investigation. The residence of the owner was also raided.

The media outlet rejected the accusations as “baseless” and said the office targeted in the raid has been closed for the past four years. In a statement on Friday, the outlet said the allegations were “designed to intimidate, delegitimise, and silence” the publication. The outlet has operated online-only since 2022 after a previous office was raided and sealed.

The raid follows broader security operations in the region after a deadly car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, which authorities said was carried out by a Kashmiri suicide bomber. No official connection has been made between the Delhi blast and the raid on the news site.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern over the raid, calling it “deeply troubling” and highlighting rising pressure on media outlets in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2019, after the Indian government revoked parts of the region’s autonomy, several journalists have faced harassment, arrests, and raids on their homes and offices.

Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and further actions will be taken if links with anti-national or extremist groups are confirmed.