Washington: Despite Pakistan's pledge to stop cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the US has said Islamabad backed militants continued with their "concerted campaign of execution-style" killings of civilians and indulged in "other forms of brutality" in the state.

Pakistani-backed armed militants continued their incursions into Jammu and Kashmir carrying out killings and numerous human rights abuses, the US State Department said in its annual report for 2002.

"The concerted campaign of execution-style killings of civilians by Kashmiri and foreign-based militant groups continued and included several killings of political leaders and party workers," the report released on March 31 said.

Separatist militants were responsible for numerous serious abuses including killings of armed forces personnel, policemen, government officials and civilians, torture, rape and "other forms of brutality", it said.

The ultras carried out kidnappings and extortions in Jammu and Kashmir and the North Eastern states, the report said.

PTI