Over three decades after the tragic murder of Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhatt, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) launched a fresh crackdown in Srinagar on August 12, 2025, raiding eight locations to unearth evidence in the long-unsolved case. The coordinated raids, conducted with the assistance of local police and CRPF, are part of renewed efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for her abduction and murder in 1990.

Background of the Case
Sarla Bhatt, age 27 and a nurse at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, was abducted from her hostel—Habba Khatoon Hostel—on the night of April 18, 1990, by militants linked to the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Despite desperate attempts by her family to find her, Sarla’s bullet-ridden and tortured body was discovered the following morning at Umar Colony, Mallabagh. A note labeling her a “police informer” was found near the body—a label commonly used by militants at the time to justify such targeted killings. It was reported that Sarla was singled out for refusing to heed militant diktats for Kashmiri Pandits to leave the Valley and quit government jobs; her defiance and courage marked her as a target for terror groups.

Legacy and Aftermath
Her family faced additional threats and intimidation, even being warned against participating in her funeral. The crime became one of the most chilling examples of the targeted ethnic cleansing campaign that drove thousands of Kashmiri Pandits out of the valley during the 1990s.

The Renewed Investigation
Despite an FIR (No. 56/1990) being registered at Nigeen Police Station soon after the crime, the case remained unresolved for over 30 years as witnesses and the administration grappled with the climate of fear caused by militancy. In 2023, the case was handed over to the SIA, which has recently uncovered important documents and digital evidence believed to be critical for tracking down those behind Sarla’s murder.

On August 12, 2025, these intensified raids were reportedly carried out at locations linked to former JKLF militants, including the residence of jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik. Officials indicate that the new evidence may help piece together the full conspiracy and bring long-awaited justice to Sarla’s family and the wider Kashmiri Pandit community.

Current Status
As of the latest updates, the search operations in Srinagar are ongoing, with officials remaining tight-lipped about specific recoveries or arrests. The SIA’s actions are seen as part of a larger move by the J&K administration to revisit unresolved cases from the turbulent 1990s and send a strong message that justice, though delayed, will not be denied.

For Kashmiri Pandits and advocates of justice, this renewed push marks a significant step toward accountability for anti-minority violence that changed the valley forever.