Senior journalist Tariq Ahmad Bhat passes away

Srinagar, Nov 4: The journalism fraternity in Jammu and Kashmir is mourning the loss of Tariq Ahmad Bhat, the Bureau Chief of The Week magazine, who passed away following a cardiac arrest.
A senior journalist with around three decades of experience, Bhat was widely respected for his integrity, professionalism, and in-depth reporting on political and social developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
Throughout his distinguished career, he contributed significantly to national and regional media, earning admiration for his balanced and insightful journalism.
Colleagues and friends have described his demise as an irreparable loss to the media landscape of the region. Many recalled his warmth, humility, and unwavering commitment to ethical reporting.
Condolence messages have poured in from across the journalistic community, with many calling him a mentor and inspiration for young reporters in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, “Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow on the passing of Tariq Ahmad Bhat, J&K Bureau Head of The Week, who left for his heavenly abode following a cardiac arrest. He prayed for strength to the bereaved family in this difficult time,” Office of Chief Minister, J&K in a post on X, said.
The CM said Tariq’s contribution to journalism in J&K will always be remembered, the post reads.
National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah, in a condolence message, described Tariq Ahmad Bhat as a respected and principled journalist, whose work reflected integrity, dedication and commitment to truth. He said his insightful reporting earned him great respect within the media fraternity and among the public.
Dr Abdullah prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.
PDP in its post on X quoted the party chief Mehbooba Mufti as expressing shock over his sudden demise. “PDP President & Former J&K CM @MehboobaMufti expresses her shock over the sudden demise of senior journalist Tariq Bhat sahab & condoled his passing. Remembering him as a respected voice who captured J&K’s nuances with depth & sincerity, she prayed for his magfirat and for strength to his family, friends & colleagues to bear this irreparable loss,” JKPDP wrote.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a post on X, expressed shock over the demise. He described Bhat as one of the respected journalists of Jammu and Kashmir. “Shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden demise of senior journalist Tariq Ahmad Bhat. Tariq was among the most respected journalists of Jammu and Kashmir, known for his integrity and commitment to truthful reporting. Throughout his career, he remained a voice of accuracy and impartiality, upholding the highest standards of journalism even in difficult and trying circumstances. His dedication to the pursuit of truth earned him the respect of colleagues and readers alike,” he said.
Mirwaiz expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, and friends. “I pray to Almighty Allah to grant Jannat-ul-Firdous to the departed soul and patience and strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss,” the post reads.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President, Tariq Hameed Karra, also expressed profound grief over the demise.
In a condolence message, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra described the sudden passing of Tariq Bhat heart heart-wrenching and shocking & said the sudden demise of Bhat has left him speechless. “I have no words to express my grief. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family. I express my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and relatives of the deceased,” Karra said.
Bhat was a veteran journalist; he will always be remembered for his professional ethics, transparency and honesty, the JKPCC President added. He prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul.
PDP MLA from Pulwama, Waheed Parra also expressed grief. “Still can’t believe Tariq Bhat Sahab is gone. A dear friend and a man of truth, humility, and compassion. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. May Almighty bless his soul with maghfirah and grant him a place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. My heartfelt prayers for his family,” Parra wrote.
Apni Party president, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari wrote: “Saddened to hear that veteran journalist Tariq Ahmad Bhat passed away this morning due to a cardiac arrest. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. His untimely demise at such a young age is truly heartbreaking. May Almighty Allah grant his soul eternal peace and give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Director Information, Nitish Rajora has expressed deep grief over the death of Veteran and Accredited journalist Tariq Ahmad Bhat, calling his demise an irreparable loss to Kashmir’s journalistic fraternity.
In his condolence message, the Director Information said that Bhat was an Accredited Journalist with DIPR and his professionalism and integrity is known across the Journalistic circles.
He added that the passing of Bhat has created a deep void in media fraternity of Kashmir which cannot be filled so easily.
The Director also expressed deep sympathy with the family members of Tariq Bhat and prayed for peace for the departed soul.
Joint Director Information Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, has also expressed deep grief over the passing away of The Week Bureau Head, Tariq Ahmed Bhat, who died after a brief illness.
In his condolence message, Bukhari described Tariq as a thorough professional, a self-respecting journalist, and a wonderful human being. He said Tariq was also a dear friend, and his demise is a personal loss to many.
He prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, the employees of Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Accredited Journalist, Tariq Ahmad Bhat. The employees remembered the long association of Bhat with DIPR and said that he was torchbearer for many budding journalists.
The employees also expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved family members, prayed for highest place in Jannah for Tariq Bhat and forbearance for family members in this moment of grief.
Moreover, the Kashmir Video Journalists Association (KVJA) expressed deep sorrow over the demise.
The Association said Tariq Ahmad Bhat was widely admired for his affable, cheerful, and sociable nature. “He exemplified integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of duty throughout his career, carrying out his responsibilities with unwavering dedication and sincerity,” it added.
The KVJA members paid tributes to the departed journalist, acknowledging that his absence will be deeply felt and his contributions long remembered. It prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. “May Almighty grant them strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss,” the Association said.