Youth found dead in Kulgam stream after alleged army custody; Kashmir leaders demand probe

Srinagar: The recovery of body of a 23-year-old labourer from a stream in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, days after he was allegedly picked up by the army, has triggered widespread outrage and calls for an impartial investigation from both the ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The deceased has been identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, who according to his family and local residents, was taken into custody by the army several days ago. On Sunday, his body was recovered from a nearby stream and handed over to his family after medico-legal formalities.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but the incident has sparked serious concerns about the alleged use of excessive force and custodial misconduct.

“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,” former chief minister and opposition People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba posted on X (formerly twitter).

She linked the incident to a broader pattern of state response to security threats, particularly in the wake of a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. “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,” the PDP chief said.

Calling for an independent investigation, Mehbooba said: “Allegations of misconduct whether in Bandipora encounter or in this latest incident in Kulgam are deeply troubling and warrant a thorough impartial investigation.”

Ruling National Conference (NC) leader and MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi also expressed concern over the incident. “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,” he said in a statement.

Mehdi said this incident follows similar troubling allegations by families of victims in Kupwara and Baramulla. “There appears to be a pattern of abuse emerging. A swift and independent investigation is imperative, and full accountability must be ensured.”

CPM leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also called for a thorough probe. “The mysterious death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, whose body was recovered from a stream in Kulgam, has raised serious questions with his family alleging that he was picked up by the Army a few days earlier.”

“The incident calls for a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the youth’s death,” he demanded.

Police, however, claim he jumped into the river while leading authorities to a terrorist hideout.

“Today morning, when CASO (cordon and search operation) was launched, the deceased went to the hideout spot (near the riverbed) under close supervision via videographed drone. Consequently, he jumped into Veshaw Nalla and probably tried to escape via the river route,” the police said. “It is also learnt that he was aware of the first terrorist hideout that was busted by security forces in the Tangmarg forest, where contact was established on April 23.”

Police said that while locating the “second terrorist hideout”, “he jumped into the river and died by suicide”.

Reports said as news of the death spread, residents in the area staged protests, demanding justice for Magray and calling for an end to what they termed “unlawful detentions.”