A pillar of journalism in Jammu and Kashmir, Tariq Ahmad Bhat, has tragically passed away. Bhat, a senior journalist and the Bureau Chief for The Week magazine in the region, died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning due to a cardiac arrest at his Srinagar home. He was declared dead on arrival at a nearby medical facility.
Bhat was celebrated for his nearly 30 years of dedicated service to journalism, consistently offering a bold and informed perspective on Jammu and Kashmir. His reputation was built on a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a deep, nuanced comprehension of the region’s complex socio-political fabric. His reports were consistently characterized by their balance and fearlessness.
He was instrumental in covering many of the defining moments of recent Jammu and Kashmir history, contributing extensively to national and regional media. Bhat also undertook significant national and international reporting duties for The Week, bringing regional stories to a wider audience.
Younger journalists often sought his guidance, appreciating his humble and patient mentorship. The sudden loss of Tariq Ahmad Bhat has left the entire media fraternity in Jammu and Kashmir grappling with grief, recognizing his passing as an immense and irreparable void.