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New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Drowning of man accused of aiding Lashkar terrorists after Army detention sparks political uproar
The body of a 23-year-old Kulgam resident was recovered from a stream in Jammu and Kashmir after he was detained for questioning over suspected terror links. While police maintain that he jumped into the stream while attempting to flee during a search operation to find terror hideouts, his family has alleged that he died in custody. 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.'
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Detained man ‘drowns trying to escape', J&K government seeks judicial probe
This is a representational image SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government sought Sunday a judicial inquiry into the death of a 23-year-old man detained by security forces during a counter-terrorism crackdown launched after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The body of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, a daily wage worker from Tangmarg in Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district, was found in a river Sunday morning. Police said he drowned while trying to escape during an operation to locate a terrorist hideout. Social welfare minister Sakina Itoo, who visited the family, urged the lieutenant governor to order a judicial inquiry. She said Magray came from an extremely poor family and his death occurred while in the custody of security agencies who report directly to Centre. 'He came back home about two weeks ago after doing daily wage work. On Friday, he was picked up from his house. His family even met him at the military camp, where they were told he would be released,' Itoo said. 'But this morning, locals were told a body had been found in the stream. It's heartbreaking. I am calling for a judicial inquiry to uncover the truth.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Actress Spills Hollywood Trick For Slim Body: "We All Do It" Health Briefing Learn More Undo National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah wrote on social media that Magray's death follows 'disturbing allegations' made by families of other recently deceased detainees in Kupwara and Baramulla. 'Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Arbitrary detentions, killings in custody, and torture are violations of every democratic and legal principle,' he said. '…full accountability for all involved must be upheld.' J&K police claimed Magray, who had been detained Friday, revealed information about two suspected Pakistani terrorists. 'Today morning when CASO was launched, he went to the hideout spot (near river) under close supervision via drone videography. Consequently, he jumped in Vishaw Nalla. Probably he tried to escape via the river route,' police said. A 38-second video leaked on X appears to show Magray stepping toward the edge of the river before running and jumping into the fast-moving water. Police said Magray was also aware of an earlier hideout busted by security forces in Tangmarg forest on April 23. Former CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti called the death deeply disturbing. 'Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Imtiyaz Magray was picked up by the Army two days ago and now mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river,' she said. She also criticised the state's counter-terrorism response to the Pahalgam attack, warning it risks becoming a form of 'collective punishment' that undermines communal harmony and public trust. 'If a single act of violence can shake the entire system — triggering arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, and the targeting of innocent civilians — then the perpetrators have already achieved their objective,' she said.
Mint
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
'Can't treat Kashmiris as collateral damage': Srinagar MP questions on 22-year-old's death after Pahalgam attack
National Conference leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has said that Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage in the aftermath of last month's Pahalgam terror attack. Mehdi, the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar, raised questions after the body of a 22-year-old youth from South Kashmir was recovered on Sunday, days after allegedly being picked by security forces for questioning. 'I am deeply worried by the recovery of 22-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray's body from a stream in Kulgam. According to credible reports, Imtiyaz was picked up by the security forces days ago, and today, he was returned to his family, lifeless,' Mehdi said in a statement on Sunday. Residents of a village in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir recovered the body of a youth on Sunday amid allegations that the deceased was picked by security forces for questioning in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. 'This follows disturbing allegations by family members of those who were recently killed in Kupwara and Baramulla, raising serious questions about the pattern of abuse,' Mehdi said, supporting the family's demand for a swift and independent investigation into Imtiyaz's death while asserting that full accountability for all involved must be upheld. Mehdi's remarks came amid escalating tensions and Pakistan's downgraded diplomatic relations with India after the worst-ever terror attack on civilians in twenty-five years in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, earlier this week. Mehdi had earlier questioned the detention of over 2000 Kashmiris after the Pahalgaam attack. 'Kashmiris cannot be treated as a collateral damage in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Arbitrary detentions, custodial killings and torture was violations of every democratic and legal principle. Counterterrorism is increasingly getting reflected as collective punishment,' Mehdi said in the statement. Earlier in the day, People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said there were serious allegations of foul play in the death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray whose body was fished out from the Adbal stream in the Aharbal area of Kulgam district this morning. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and started an investigation to ascertain the cause of death. "Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Imtiyaz Magray was picked up by the army two days ago and now mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river," Mehbooba, the former Chief Minister of Kashmir said in a post on X She said the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam appears to be a calculated attempt to derail the fragile peace, disrupt tourism in Kashmir and undermine communal harmony across the country. "If a single act of violence can shake the entire system, triggering arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, and the targeting of innocent civilians then the perpetrators have already achieved their objective," she said. Mehbooba called for an impartial investigation into the death. Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. "Allegations of misconduct whether in Bandipora encounter or in this latest incident in Kulgam are deeply troubling and warrant a thorough impartial investigation," she added. First Published: 4 May 2025, 09:51 PM IST
