A counter-terror operation in Kulgam district has sparked a significant controversy following the tragic drowning of a 23-year-old local man, Imtiaz Ahmad Magray, during an escape attempt from security forces. The incident was notably captured on drone footage by Gulistan News TV, which shows Magray jumping into the fast-flowing Vishwa River, where he appeared to struggle before being swept away by the strong current.
Authorities have confirmed that Magray, a resident of Tangimarg, had been in police custody since May 3. It is alleged that he confessed to providing food and logistical support to militants hiding in the nearby forest area. On May 5, while accompanying security personnel to a suspected hideout, he unexpectedly leaped into the river. His body was recovered the following day from the Adbal stream in Aharbal.
While security officials maintain that Magray’s escape attempt was voluntary and unprovoked, as evidenced by the drone footage, this narrative has faced strong opposition from local residents and political figures alike. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Magray was in custody for two days prior to his death, raising suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called for an impartial judicial investigation, referencing a troubling pattern of “serious allegations of foul play” associated with recent security operations, including a contentious encounter that took place in Bandipora.
The incident unfolds amidst a backdrop of increased anti-terror measures in the region. Just two weeks earlier, on April 24, a collaborative operation involving the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF led to the dismantling of a terrorist hideout in the Tangimarg area. During this operation, various items such as gas cylinders, food supplies, bedding, and a pressure cooker filled with chicken biryani were recovered—evidence said to link the hideout to militants implicated in an attack on tourists in Pahalgam. The attackers reportedly included three foreign militants from Pakistan along with two locals from Bijbehara and Thokerpora, Kulgam.
The release of the drone footage has intensified demands for transparency and accountability in security operations, and while police have initiated a formal investigation into Magray’s death, public distrust remains palpable. Many community members are calling for clarification regarding the processes observed during his arrest, custody, and subsequent demise.
As tensions continue to rise in Kulgam, this case emphasizes the ongoing struggle to balance counter-terrorism efforts with the respect for human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
