Latest news with #Magray
Hindustan Times
06-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
NIA seizes house used in bomb-making for Pulwama attack
A two-storey house in Hajibal, Kakapora used by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists to store explosives and assemble two bombs used in the February 14, 2019 terror attack in Pulwama, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed, is being seized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), people familiar with the development said. In this file picture from February 14, 2019, security personnel are seen carrying out the rescue and relief works at the site of suicide bomb attack at Lathepora, Awantipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.(PTI FILE) The house, according to one of the people cited above, an NIA officer who did not want to be named, belongs to Shakir Bashir Magray, a local JeM operative who played a crucial role in Pulwama attack: providing his residence; checking the convoy's route; helping assemble and fit the bombs in a van; even driving the car to some distance before handing it over to the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar, on the national highway on the day of attack. Magray was arrested by NIA on February 28, 2020 -- he was the first one to be arrested in the case -- and was charged along with 18 others including JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, his brothers Abdul Rauf Asghar and Ammar Alvi, Azhar's nephew Mohammad Umar Farooq , who masterminded and executed the attack was killed in an encounter a month later. 'The two-storey house at Hajibal, Kakapora, which is registered in the name of Magray's grandfather, was used by Umar Farooq, his deputy for the Pulwama attack Sameer Ahmed Dar, suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar and Magray for storing over 200 kg of explosives, detonators, and then two bombs were assembled and fitted in a Maruti Eeco van there. Since it was used in terrorism, we are in the process of seizing it under section 25 (3) of UAPA,' said a second NIA officer, who didn't want to be named. A Honda Activa scooter, 'which was used by Shakir Magray for several days before the attack for reconnaissance of convoy route, deployment of forces in the area on the directions of Umar Farooq, is also being seized under the anti-terror law', this person added. The NIA probe in the Pulwama attack has revealed that Shakir Magray, Umar Farooq, another Pakistani IED expert Kamran Ali (killed with Farooq in the encounter), and Sameer Ahmad Dar prepared the car-borne IED at Magray's house on the intervening night of February 5 and 6 with two jerry cans having explosives weighing 160 kg and 40 kg respectively, comprising gelatin sticks, calcium-ammonium nitrate, ammonium powder and RDX. Magray was the one who modified the car for the bomb and changed its number plates, according to the first officer. He was the first person to be arrested, based on his photo recovered from Umar Farooq's phone, and he revealed the entire Pulwama conspiracy to the NIA sleuths. He disclosed that an attack on a convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was first discussed in June 2018 and its actual preparation began in October that year when, upon receiving directions from Pakistan, the JeM leadership started collecting material. Throughout January 2019, Magray (now aged around 29 years), monitored the convoys passing through the national highway from his small sawmill located on Lethpora bridge, just 200m away from the blast site. Magray informed the NIA, according to the second officer, that the attack on the CRPF convoy was actually supposed to take place in the first week of February. 'However, due to weather conditions, the convoy movement suddenly stopped forcing JeM to wait till the next convoy passed from the Jammu-Srinagar highway.' The first convoy to pass that month was on February 14, the day of the attack. Magray saw the road opening party that was being deployed to assist the convoy and the terrorists then decided to carry out the attack, the officer said, adding that 'Magray drove the car till 500-600 meters before handing it over to Adil Dar' After the attack, Magray never left Pulwama and routinely went to his furniture shop. NIA recovered hundreds of video clips, voice notes and WhatsApp messages from Farooq's phone in which JeM terrorists are seen celebrating, training and practicing before they are launched into India or discussing plans, transfer of funds, etc. In a conversation with Pakistan based JeM leadership, found on the phone, Farooq even praised Shakir Magray saying he did ' what Afzal Guru did for the outfit in the Parliament attack in 2001,' said the second officer. Magray is currently lodged in a prison in J&K.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Owaisi seeks effective response to Pahalgam terror attack, demands probe
Speaking to reporters here, Owaisi sought an inquiry into the death of a man from Kulgam who was allegedly picked up by security forces for questioning in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack Press Trust of India Srinagar AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said India should give an effective response to last month's Pahalgam attack and termed the incident as barbaric and cowardly. Speaking to reporters here, the Lok Sabha MP sought an inquiry into the death of a man from Kulgam who was allegedly picked up by security forces for questioning in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. "It was a terror attack, a cowardly attack. The more we condemn it, the less it is. We have seen how terrorists from Pakistan killed 26 people," Owaisi told reporters. The way people were killed by separating kids and women, and asking males about their religion, was disheartening and inhumane. "Those who couldn't recite the Kalma were fired upon. This is barbaric," he said. Owaisi said the local residents of Kashmir are bearing the brunt of the attack as the tourism sector has taken a hit. "The tourists have gone from here in huge numbers. We want our government to give an effective response to it. We have said the same in the all-party meeting as well," he added. To a question about the death of 22-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray from Kulgam, Owaisi said an inquiry should be conducted to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death. "There should be an inquiry. I have read the statements of his relatives in the media. An inquiry should be held into the circumstances of his death," the AIMIM chief said. Residents of a village in Kulgam district found Magray's body on Sunday amid allegations that the deceased was taken away by security forces for questioning in the wake of the Pahalgam incident. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference Lok Sabha member Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and Jammu and Kashmir Minister Sakina Ittoo said there were serious allegations of foul play in the death of Magray, whose body was fished out from the Adbal stream in the Aharbal area of the district. While Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the death, a drone footage, which surfaced hours after Magray's body was recovered, showed a youth jumping into the gushing Adbal stream and getting washed away. Police claimed that 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. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Asaduddin Owaisi Calls For "Effective" Response To Pahalgam Terror Attack
Srinagar: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said India should give an effective response to last month's Pahalgam attack and termed the incident as barbaric and cowardly. Speaking to reporters here, the Lok Sabha MP sought an inquiry into the death of a man from Kulgam who was allegedly picked up by security forces for questioning in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. "It was a terror attack, a cowardly attack. The more we condemn it, the less it is. We have seen how terrorists from Pakistan killed 26 people," Mr Owaisi told reporters. The way people were killed by separating kids and women, and asking males about their religion, was disheartening and inhumane. "Those who couldn't recite the Kalma were fired upon. This is barbaric," he said. Mr Owaisi said the local residents of Kashmir are bearing the brunt of the attack as the tourism sector has taken a hit. "The tourists have gone from here in huge numbers. We want our government to give an effective response to it. We have said the same in the all-party meeting as well," he added. To a question about the death of 22-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray from Kulgam, Mr Owaisi said an inquiry should be conducted to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death. "There should be an inquiry. I have read the statements of his relatives in the media. An inquiry should be held into the circumstances of his death," the AIMIM chief said. Residents of a village in Kulgam district found Magray's body on Sunday amid allegations that the dead was taken away by security forces for questioning in the wake of the Pahalgam incident. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference Lok Sabha member Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and Jammu and Kashmir Minister Sakina Ittoo said there were serious allegations of wrongdoing in the death of Magray, whose body was fished out from the Adbal stream in the Aharbal area of the district. While Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the death, a drone footage, which surfaced hours after Magray's body was recovered, showed a youth jumping into the gushing Adbal stream and getting washed away. Police claimed that 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.
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.'
India.com
05-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Drone Video From Kashmir Debunks Kashmiri Politicians Foul Play Claim On OGWs Death
Jammu and Kashmir: The recent drowning of a youth in Kulgam has stirred controversy, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir Police to release a video to clarify the circumstances. According to police, the deceased, Imtiaz Ahmad Magray, was an Over Ground Worker (OGW) linked to terrorist groups and died while attempting to escape during a security operation. Police stated that Magray jumped into the fast-flowing Vaishav Nallah in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on May 4 as he tried to evade a joint search team of the police and army. Drone footage reportedly shows the moment he leapt into the river and was swept away by the current. Officials said Magray had been under surveillance and was detained on May 3. During questioning, he allegedly confessed to assisting terrorists by providing food and logistics in the Tangmarg forest area and admitted to having knowledge of two Pakistani terrorist hideouts. Based on this information, he agreed to help security forces locate one of the hideouts. However, as the team approached the site, Magray allegedly attempted to flee and drowned in the process. The death of a 23-year-old youth, Imtiaz Ahmad Magray, a resident of Tangmarg in Kulgam district, whose body was recovered from a river on Sunday, has sparked controversy between political parties and security forces. #Fact: This claim is misleading, however the fact is, 23-year-old Imtiaz Ahmad Magray of Tangimarg, Kulgam, who had confessed to aiding terrorists, jumped into the Vishwa River while leading Security Forces to a hideout and drowned. Video footage confirms he acted on his own. 2/n — Counter Disinformation Centre (@JKCDC_) May 4, 2025 Earlier, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Education Minister Sakina Itoo questioned the youth's death while demanding investigation. Minister For Education Jammu Kashmir Sakina Itoo, who is the local MLA of the area, said, 'I request to LG to look into the matter and demanded a judicial probe into the death and said that the elected government stands with the family.' Meanwhile, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti too questioned the death. In a post on X, Mehbooba said, "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.
