KULGAM – The body of 22-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray was discovered in a stream in Kulgam district on Sunday, just two days after he was reportedly picked up by the Indian Army for questioning following a militant attack in Pahalgam. The incident has sparked intense public outrage, with political leaders and human rights activists demanding a thorough and impartial investigation, reported the Maktoob Media.
Residents of the area allege that Magray, a local youth, was taken into custody by security forces and subjected to custodial torture. His lifeless body was later recovered under suspicious circumstances, prompting accusations of extrajudicial killing.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident, calling it part of a “deeply troubling” pattern of abuse in the valley. “Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam, raising serious allegations of foul play,” she said. Mufti connected the incident to the broader repression following the recent violence in Pahalgam. “Arbitrary arrests, house demolitions, and targeting of civilians are being used as collective punishment. This undermines justice and communal harmony.”
She emphasized the need for a transparent inquiry: “Allegations like this must not go uninvestigated, whether it’s Bandipora, Kupwara, or now Kulgam.”
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, MP from Srinagar, also expressed concern. “This is not an isolated case. The allegations echo similar complaints from families in Kupwara and Baramulla. Kashmiris cannot continue to be treated as collateral damage,” he stated. Mehdi highlighted that arbitrary detentions and custodial deaths violate the basic tenets of democracy and law. “An independent, transparent investigation into Imtiyaz’s death is non-negotiable. Justice must prevail,” he added.
As of now, the Army and local police have not issued any formal statement. However, the case has added to growing calls for accountability and the protection of civil rights in conflict-torn Kashmir.
