Jammu: The National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have strongly criticized the State Investigation Agency (SIA) raid at the Kashmir Times office in Jammu, describing it as an attempt to pressure the media.

Both parties said the raid reflects a wider pattern of intimidation targeting independent media outlets in IIOJK.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh Choudhary stressed that any action by the investigating agency should be strictly evidence-based. 'If they have done something wrong, then action should be taken. But it should not be done just to exert pressure,' he told reporters.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti, daughter of party chief Mehbooba Mufti, said Kashmir Times has long resisted attempts to silence it. She said, 'Raiding their offices under the guise of carrying out anti-India activities is preposterous and reeks of high-handedness. In Kashmir, every outlet of truth is being choked by invoking the anti-national slur. Are we all anti-nationals?'