SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, National Conference (NC) chief Dr Farooq Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Molvi Umar Farooq and the media fraternity on Tuesday expressed grief and shock over the demise of a senior journalist and J&K Bureau Head of The Week magazine, Tariq Ahmad Bhat.
Bhat passed away on Tuesday morning after suffering a massive cardiac attack. He was 54 and left behind a wife and three little children.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a large number of people, especially journalists, participated in the funeral of the senior journalist.
A team of KNO and the daily Kashmir Thunder, led by Editor-in-Chief Nasir Azam Khan, participated in the funeral prayers and met the family, expressing solidarity with them.
Meanwhile, as soon as the news of his demise spread, several political leaders, including the Chief Minister, expressed grief.
“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.”
Meanwhile, 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.