SIA raids Kashmir Times office in Jammu, conducts searches

Jammu, Nov 20: J&K State Investigation Agency (SIA) Thursday conducted raids and searches at the head office of the daily ‘Kashmir Times’ situated at Residency Road Jammu.

A spokesperson of SIA in a statement said that the searches, conducted in presence of Executive Magistrate, were carried in continuation of the investigation into the case registered “against the media house ‘Kashmir Times’/‘kashmirtimes.com’ for their involvement in criminal conspiracy with secessionist and other anti-national entities operating within and outside Jammu and Kashmir.”

The FIR, according to SIA spokesperson, indicates that the media platform has been allegedly “disseminating terrorist and secessionist ideology; spreading inflammatory, fabricated and false narratives; attempting to radicalise the youth of Jammu and Kashmir; inciting disaffection and separatist sentiments; disturbing peace and public order, and challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India through print and digital content.”

“In the raid and search were conducted at the office premises of Kashmir Times, located at Residency Road, Jammu, the incriminating arms and ammunition were recovered which included one revolver; 14 empty cases of AK-series weapon; 3 live AK rounds, 4 fired bullets, 3 grenade safety levers and 3 suspected pistol rounds (apparently),” the spokesperson said. All recovered items, according to the SIA spokesperson, were seized on the spot following due legal procedures. “These recoveries indicate possible unlawful possession and suspected linkages with extremist or anti-national elements, warranting further detailed investigation. House search of Prabodh Jamwal, the owner of the media house situated at Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, was also conducted in pursuance of the same investigation,” the spokesperson said.

“The seized arms, ammunition, digital devices and documents will undergo forensic and technical examination to determine their origin, purpose, and any potential connections to proscribed organisations or individuals. The investigation remains active, and further action shall be taken based on emerging evidence,” the spokesperson added.