What Happened When Gunmen Attacked a Journalist's Vehicle in J&K's Budgam?
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Synopsis
A journalist's vehicle was shot at by unidentified gunmen in Budgam, J&K, sparking concerns over journalist safety in the region. This incident adds to a long history of violence against media personnel in Kashmir, raising alarms about freedom of the press.
Key Takeaways
- Unidentified gunmen attacked a journalist’s vehicle in Budgam.
- The journalist escaped unharmed in the incident.
- This attack highlights the risks faced by journalists in J&K.
- The police are conducting an investigation into the attack.
- Journalists in Kashmir have faced numerous threats over the years.
Srinagar, June 1 (NationPress) Unidentified assailants opened fire on the car of a journalist in the Budgam district of J&K on Sunday evening, but fortunately, he emerged unscathed, according to officials.
According to reports, the gunmen targeted the vehicle of local journalist Manzoor Ahmad Bhat in the Jawalapora village of Budgam.
"Two bullets struck the journalist’s bulletproof vehicle, yet he managed to escape unharmed. Authorities have cordoned off the area to locate the assailants. The police are actively investigating the incident," an official stated.
Journalists have faced violence in the region previously.
The most notable incident was the assassination of Shujaat Bukhari, the editor of a local newspaper, who was murdered alongside his two security personnel by terrorists in the Residency Road area of Srinagar city on June 14, 2018.
On February 19, 1990, Lassa Kaul, the director of the Srinagar Doordarshan station, was killed by militants in the Bemina region, which led to the station's closure for three years. Subsequently, on March 1, 1990, P N. Handoo, Assistant Director of Information, was shot dead inside his office at Balgarden in Srinagar.
On April 23, 1991, the murder of Al-Safa editor-in-chief Mohammad Shaban Wakil stifled local journalists' criticisms of Kashmiri militants, with suspicions that militants were behind his death. Reports indicate that armed men stormed Wakil's office and fired at him indiscriminately.
On October 16, 1992, Syed Ghulam Nabi, Joint Director of Information, was abducted and held for four days before his body, showing signs of torture, was discovered. The murder of Mohammad Shafi Bhat, a Radio Kashmir newsreader, on October 3, 1993, triggered a wave of resignations among his colleagues.
The murder of freelance journalist Ghulam Mohammed Lone on August 29, 1994, had a chilling impact on stringers in remote areas of the Kashmir Valley. He was killed by masked gunmen who also shot his seven-year-old son in their home in Kangan, Kashmir.
Photojournalist Mushtaq Ali was critically injured in a parcel bomb explosion in the office of then-BBC reporter Yusuf Jameel on September 7, 1995, and succumbed to his injuries three days later. The bomb was delivered by a woman in a burqa, while Jameel and another photojournalist, Habib Naqash, were present but escaped unharmed.
On January 1, 1997, Altaf Ahmed Faktoo, a Srinagar anchor for Doordarshan, was killed by militants.
On March 16 of the same year, freelance journalist Saidan Shafi was ambushed and killed alongside his bodyguard in Srinagar. Shafi worked for Doordarshan TV’s "Kashmir File," a weekly news program, and "Eyewitness," a nightly news capsule.
On April 8, 1997, private television producer Tariq Ahmad was murdered.
On August 10, 2000, a grenade attack on Residency Road in Srinagar attracted numerous journalists. Moments later, an explosion from a parked car killed Pradeep Bhatia, a photojournalist from Hindustan Times.
Parvaz Muhammad Sultan, the editor of a local news agency, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in 2003. He was the head of the independent news wire service, News and Feature Alliance (NAFA), based in Srinagar.
On May 9, 2004, Abdul Majid Bhat, a senior reporter from the region’s Information department, was killed in a blast in Doda town, Jammu.
Freelance journalist and human rights activist Asiya Jeelani was killed in a landmine explosion in Kupwara on April 20, 2004, along with her driver.
On May 11, 2008, Ashok Sodhi, the chief cameraman of Daily Excelsior, was killed in crossfire near the Pakistan border.
On August 13, 2008, Javed Ahmed Mir, 35, was shot dead while covering a protest near Bagh-e-Mehtab in Srinagar.
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight the ongoing threats to journalists in J&K. Their safety is paramount as they work to report the truth. The attack on Manzoor Ahmad Bhat is a stark reminder of the risks faced by media personnel in volatile regions, and we must advocate for their protection and support their right to report without fear.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Budgam?
Unidentified gunmen fired at a journalist's vehicle, but he escaped uninjured.
Who was targeted in the incident?
Local journalist Manzoor Ahmad Bhat was the target of the attack.
What actions have been taken by the police?
The area has been cordoned off, and the police are actively investigating the incident.
Have journalists been attacked before in J&K?
Yes, there have been numerous attacks on journalists in the region over the years.
What is the significance of this attack?
It highlights the ongoing threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists in conflict zones.
