Tariq Ahmad Bhat, senior journalist and Jammu & Kashmir Bureau Chief of The Week magazine, passed away on Tuesday.
Bhat suffered a massive cardiac arrest at his residence at Kani Kadal in downtown Srinagar in the morning today. He was shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Tariq is survived by his wife and three children.
Bhat had been associated with The Week for 24 years. Before joining The Week, he was associated with The Indian Express.
Bhat, a well-known name in the media fraternity, had built a reputation over decades for his sharp reportage and deep understanding of political and social developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
He was known for his integrity, professionalism, and deep understanding of the complex political and social dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir. His reporting was consistently described as balanced, insightful, and fearless.
Throughout his career, he covered many defining events in the region’s recent history and contributed significantly to both national and regional media outlets.
He mentored many young and aspiring journalists in the Valley, guiding them with humility, patience, and generosity.
His sudden and untimely demise has left the entire journalistic community in shock and grief, with colleagues and friends describing his passing as an irreparable loss to the media fraternity.
Hundreds of people including the journalist participated in his funeral prayers.
He was later laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Dalgate area of the city.
According to his family, the mourning would be observed for three days.
The Brighter Kashmir expresses its solidarity and sympathies with the bereaved family.
“Tariq’s contribution to journalism in Jammu and Kashmir was remarkable. His passing away has left an irreparable void in Kashmir’s journalistic fraternity and it will be hard to fill,” said Brighter Kashmir editor Farooq Ahmad Wani while paying tributes to the deceased journalist.
Bhat’s death was widely mourned in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow on the passing of Tariq Bhat. He prayed for strength to the bereaved family in this difficult time.
“His contribution to journalism in J&K will always be remembered,” the CM said.
Director Information, Nitish Rajora also expressed deep grief over death of Tariq Bhat, calling his demise an irreparable loss to Kashmir’s journalistic fraternity.
In his condolence message, the Director Information said Bhat was an accredited journalist with DIPR and his professionalism and integrity is known across the journalistic circles.
He said 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, also expressed deep grief over the passing away of The Week Bureau Head, Tariq Ahmed Bhat.
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.
The employees of Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Tariq Bhat. The employees remembered the long association of Bhat with DIPR and said that he was a torchbearer for many budding journalists.
The employees also expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved family members, prayed for the highest place in Jannah for Tariq Bhat and forbearance for family members in this moment of grief.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her shock over the tragedy.
Senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar, in his condolence message, praised Tariq’s professionalism and integrity.
"During my tenure as PDP's chief spokesman, I have myself witnessed Bhat's integrity and his curiosity to get to the bottom of the issue and present his readers comprehensive and detailed news stories. He never sought attention or fanfare. Individuals like him give soul to society and become torchbearers for the budding journalists of our land. May Allah accord Tariq highest place in Jannah and sabr to his bereaved family. We all are grief stricken,” Akhtar said.
“Deeply shocked and at a complete loss for words after hearing about the untimely passing away of Tariq Bhat. His passing is a huge loss to journalism and to all who knew him personally. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” said president PSAJK in a statement.
He expressed grief and condolences with the journalist fraternity on the untimely death of Tariq.