Body of Kulgam youth found in Vishaw Nallah

Srinagar, May 4: The body of 23-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray was recovered from Vishaw Nallah on Sunday, with police claiming he was an OGW linked to Pakistani terrorists who died by suicide while trying to flee. However, the family denied claims and demanded a judicial probe into the incident.
The deceased was identified as Imtiaz Ahmad Magray, 23, son of Nazir Ahmad Magray, a resident of Tangmarg. He was working as a labourer and returned home in April.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam, Sahil Sarangal (IPS), told Rising Kashmir that Magray was accompanying security forces during a cordon and search operation (CASO) on Sunday morning when he jumped into the river and died, reportedly attempting to escape via the river route.
“Magray was an Over Ground Worker (OGW) and had confessed about knowledge of the hideout with the presence of two Pakistan terrorists. The entire movement was videographed with a drone. However, during the operation, he suddenly jumped into the Vishaw Nallah,” he said.
SSP Sarangal said that he was also reportedly aware of a previous hideout busted by security forces on April 23 in the Tangmarg forests, where contact had been established with terrorists.
Meanwhile the dead body was recovered by locals, who alerted the police. A police team reached the spot and took custody of the body for medico-legal formalities. It was later shifted to the DH Pora hospital before being handed over to the family.
The incident has triggered public outrage, with the family alleged that Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray was detained by security forces a day before his body was found. They claimed he was picked up and taken to the Behibagh Army camp, where the family was allowed to meet him just a day before his death.
Chowdhary Mohammad Altaf, Lumberdar of Tangmarg village said the Army detained Magray early on May 3 in connection with an investigation into terror links.
“His family approached me and later visited the Army camp, where officials assured them, he would be released on May 4,” Altaf said.
However, on Sunday morning, locals spotted Magray’s body in Vishaw Nallah and informed his family and the police.
Talking to Rising Kashmir Manzoor Ahmad Magray, the deceased’s uncle, said Imtiyaz was innocent and had no links to terrorists or terror outfits.
“He was a labourer and had just returned from Punjab in April after working there through the winter,” he said.
“Army personnel raided our house around 6 a.m. on Saturday and took him away. Later, we met him at the camp around noon. The Army assured us he would be released the next day.”
Manzoor added that Imtiyaz is survived by his elderly parents, two brothers, and five married sisters. He was also set to get married next year.
“This tragedy has shattered our dreams. We demand a judicial probe into the incident to uncover the truth. We appeal to LG Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah to intervene.”
Later hundreds of people attended Imtiyaz Magray’s funeral prayers at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday.
Meanwhile, officials said that legal proceedings in the case have been initiated and further investigation is underway. Drone footage capturing Magray’s final moments was also seen viral on Social media, where ‘Magray can be seen jumping in the river’.
Health Minister and senior political leader Sakina Itoo visited the bereaved family on Sunday and demanded a judicial probe.
“Saddened and grieved over the mysterious death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, an innocent youth and the sole breadwinner of his family. As per his family, he was detained and later found dead in the river near his locality. We demand an impartial judicial inquiry, and I appeal to LG Manoj Sinha for immediate intervention,” she said.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in post on X said that the recovery of Imtiyaz Magray’s body raises serious allegations of foul play. Such tragic events deepen public mistrust and must be investigated impartially.”
“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.
Mufti said that 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.