India, Feb. 7 -- National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday strongly condemned the recent deaths of two Kashmiri men under controversial circumstances, accusing security forces of excessive force, torture and human rights violations.

Addressing media personnel at the Press Club of India, New Delhi, he questioned the killing of an ex-serviceman followed by the arrest of nearly 500 over ground workers (OGWs) and a Baramulla truck driver, both of the cases, he alleged, were victims of targeted actions following a high-level security review headed by Home Minister Amit Shah this week.

"This has become a habit in Jammu and Kashmir-arrests in unknown locations, collective punishment, and branding individuals as Over Ground Worke...