Srinagar, May 5 — Since the April 22 Pahalgam attack, the crackdown in Kashmir has continued to escalate, turning deadlier, with two civilians killed in separate operations —authorities maintain they were Over Ground Workers (OGWs)—while over 90 have been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and more than 2,800 detained across the Valley.
On Sunday, a youth,
Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, from north Kashmir was ‘found dead’ in a river in south Kashmir. Later, officials said he was an alleged OGW who jumped into the river while fleeing during a hideout bust operation.
Earlier, on April 25, Altaf Hussain Lali, a daily-wage labourer and father of four, was killed in an encounter. His family alleged he was summoned by authorities and later killed in a staged gunfight, sparking protests in the area.
“This action is part of a broad counter-terror strategy, and it will be intensified further,” police said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi, told GK that 90 individuals have so far been booked under PSA, and 2,800 alleged ‘OGWs’ have been detained for questioning or preventive custody.
“The crackdown against OGWs and individuals with an inimical mindset will intensify in the coming days,” Birdi said.
Besides the detentions and bookings, the intensified crackdown in Kashmir has also involved the blasting of homes belonging to the families of local militants, destroying entire localities and leaving several civilians homeless.