Drowning of man accused of aiding Lashkar terrorists after Army detention sparks political uproar
Police claimed that Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, who "confessed" to being an overground worker (OGW) for terrorists, tried to escape while leading security forces to a hideout in a forest area.
News agencies reports thatMagray, who was picked up by police on Saturday, had allegedly confessed during interrogation that he had provided food and shelter to terrorists operating in the Tangmarg forest area of Kulgam. Security officials claimed he then volunteered to guide a joint team of police and Army personnel to the hideout on Sunday morning.
However, during the operation, Magray allegedly broke away from the team and jumped into the fast-flowing Veshaw River. 'A video shot from higher ground clearly shows him suddenly darting towards the riverbank and leaping in, with no one nearby. He tried to swim, but the strong current swept him away,' a police source said. The footage also reportedly captures the full sequence of events, refuting claims of foul play, reported IANS.
Security forces have strongly denied allegations of foul play and condemned what they called "misinformation" being spread about the circumstances of Magray's death. 'The security forces should not be wrongly blamed for the man's unfortunate death,' IANS reported citing sources.
However, the official version has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and human rights activists. Locals and Magray's family members alleged that he was tortured in custody and that his death was not accidental.
Former minister and senior National Conference leader Sakina Ittoo demanded a judicial probe into Magray's death PTI reported as Ittoo saying: 'There should be a judicial probe so that the truth comes out,' she said. 'The Pahalgam attack was very sad and unfortunate. We all are aggrieved by it. However, an atmosphere of fear has been created. I request the lieutenant governor to ensure that innocent people are not harassed and harmed.'
National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, in a press release, expressed deep concern over the incident. 'According to credible reports, Magray was picked up by security forces days ago and today he was returned to his family lifeless. Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack,' he said. 'Arbitrary detention, custodial killings and torture are violations of every democratic and legal principle.'
He also called for full accountability. 'The family's demand for a swift and independent investigation into Magray's death must be upheld. We cannot allow a culture of impunity to destroy what little trust remains.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Who is Bula Choudhury, the athlete who had over 150 medals stolen from her home?
TOI reported that over 150 medals were stolen from Bula Choudhury's house in Hindmotor (Images via IANS & CCI) B ula Choudhury, one of India's celebrated swimmers and a Padma Shri recipient, has been left devastated after thieves looted her ancestral home in Hindmotor, Hooghly district. The 54-year-old, popularly known as the 'Queen of Seas,' is a former SAF Games champion who also famously crossed the English Channel twice, in 1989 and 1999. She now resides in Kolkata's Kasba area. Choudhury's career was decorated with remarkable achievements. Born in 1970, she first made her mark as a nine-year-old at the 1979 national swimming competition, dominating her age group. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! She went on to win multiple gold medals at the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games, with four in Kathmandu in 1984 and six in Colombo in 1991. In recognition of her achievements, she was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1990 and the Padma Shri in 2009. The glory of her long career now feels diminished after a break-in at her Hindmotor residence. Thieves stole more than 150 medals and mementos, including her Padma Shri brooch and 10 SAF Games gold medals, along with household fittings such as taps and washbasins. 'They took away things that are of no value to them but invaluable to me. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing you should Ditch over 40 Learn More Undo From 1979, when I started competing as a nine-year-old, till I retired in 1995, all that I earned were medals. They are all gone,' Choudhury told TOI. The theft came to light on Independence Day when her brother Dolan arrived to clean the property and found the back gate broken, the lock pried open, and the rooms ransacked. 'All the medals from the drawing room glass cabinet are missing. The basins in the bathrooms had been smashed and the taps removed. Even the stop cocks in the cisterns are missing,' he told TOI. Poll Do you believe that more security measures should be implemented for the homes of celebrated athletes? Yes, definitely No, it is the athlete's responsibility Police said this was the third such incident at the house, which remains unoccupied most of the time. Similar thefts in 2014 saw jewellery, mementos and electronics stolen. TOI earlier reported that Chandernagore deputy commissioner of police Arnab Biswas confirmed that five suspects have been picked up for questioning, while forensic teams are examining the site. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
MP: Four of Gujarat musical troupe killed, 11 injured in Shivpuri road accident
Shivpuri: Four people died and 11 others were injured in a tragic road accident in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday morning. All were members of a Gujarat-based music group returning from Varanasi after performing at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The accident occurred on National Highway-27, under the jurisdiction of Survaya police station, when their Traveller van collided head-on with a loaded truck coming from the opposite direction. Speaking to IANS, Arvind Chari, Survaya police station incharge said, "All the victims hailed from Mehsana and Surendranagar districts of Gujarat." The officer added that one person died on the spot while three others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. As many as 11 others were injured, including one of the drivers, whose condition is stated to be critical. Preliminary investigations suggest that the van driver may have dozed off at the wheel, having reportedly left Varanasi at around 5 A.M. without rest. The accident took place at around 6:30 A.M., nearly 30 kilometres from the district headquarters. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which hit the central divider and veered into the opposite lane before crashing into an oncoming truck with tremendous force. The impact was so severe that several passengers were thrown from their seats, the officer said. A total of 17 people were travelling in the van at the time of the accident. The deceased have been identified as Hardik Dave (40), the lead singer of the group; Raja Thakur (28); Ankit Thakur (22); and Rajpal Solanki (60). The music troupe used to tour for devotional performances across northern India. The injured, including Mohit Rawal, Ashish Vyas, Narendra Nayak, Chetan Kumar, Harshad Goswami, Mohlik, Rishikesh, Arvind and others were rushed to a government hospital in Shivpuri. As news of the accident spread, family members were informed and administrative officials arrived at the hospital to oversee medical care and offer support. Police have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the crash.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
ED Raids Premises Linked To Tamil Nadu Minister Periyasamy's Amid Money Laundering Probe
Last Updated: The Enforcement Directorate raided multiple locations linked to Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy over suspected money laundering, causing tension and increased security in Chennai. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday morning conducted searches at multiple locations linked to Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy, news agency IANS reported. It is learnt the raids are part of an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal financial transactions. According to IANS report, teams of ED officials arrived at Periyasamy's residence on Greenways Road in Chennai, his MLA guest house in Thiruvallikeni, and various properties in Madurai and Dindigul. The searches sparked tension, particularly near his Chennai home, where a group of people initially tried to block the officials from entering. Security has since been beefed up in the area to maintain law and order in the area. Officials are reportedly examining financial documents and property records. The raids were underway at the time of writing this article. Earlier this year, the central probe agency investigated alleged irregularities amounting to Rs 1,000 crore in the state-run TASMAC liquor corporation. The probe focused on questionable tenders, inflated pricing, and licensing manipulation. Raids were carried out at the homes of senior officials, including the TASMAC Managing Director, and at several distillery offices. However, the Supreme Court stayed the investigation in May, slamming the ED for exceeding constitutional limits and interfering with a state-run entity. In a separate case, the ED also searched properties linked to former environment official S. Pandian, seizing large quantities of cash, gold, diamonds, and documents. As the latest operation involving Minister Periyasamy unfolds, political tensions are escalating. The DMK has repeatedly accused central agencies of targeting its leaders, while opposition parties argue such probes are essential to root out corruption. The outcome of these searches could have far-reaching political and legal consequences in the state. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
