Journalist Survives Armed Attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam District

June 03, 2025 – Kashmir –

Danish Manzoor, a journalist based in Jammu and Kashmir, narrowly escaped a life-threatening attack when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in the Budgam district. The incident occurred on Sunday evening, in a part of the region often marred by political tension and sporadic violence. Manzoor, who was inside the car at the time of the attack, reported that at least two bullets struck his vehicle, though he fortunately escaped unhurt.

The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility so far. Local police have launched an investigation, and a manhunt is underway to identify and apprehend the attackers. Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage and gathering eyewitness testimonies in hopes of establishing a clear motive.

Manzoor, known for his work covering social and political issues in Jammu and Kashmir, is one of many journalists in the region working under increasingly difficult and dangerous circumstances. The region has long been a complex and volatile zone for media professionals, who face risks from both state and non-state actors.

This attack has drawn condemnation from press freedom advocates and journalist unions across India. The Kashmir Press Club and other organizations called on the administration to ensure the safety of all journalists in the region and to take swift action to hold the perpetrators accountable. They emphasized that such attacks are not just assaults on individuals but on the broader principles of press freedom and the public’s right to information.

In recent years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed heightened surveillance, intimidation, and legal harassment of journalists, in addition to physical threats. The shooting incident involving Danish Manzoor has added to concerns about the deteriorating state of media freedom in the region.

The incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing threats to journalists working in conflict zones and the urgent need for both governmental and institutional protections to ensure their safety while they carry out their essential duties.

Reference – 

https://ground.news/article/journalists-vehicle-attacked-by-gunmen-in-j-and-ks-budgam

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/journalists-vehicle-fired-upon-in-j-ks-budgam/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20officials%2C%20Danish,a%20probe%20was%20under%20way.

Journalist’s vehicle fired upon in Budgam