Washington: Pakistani-backed armed intruders continued their incursions into Jammu
and Kashmir throughout 2002 carrying out killings and numerous Human Rights abuses,
the US State Department said in its annual report for the year.
"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.
Quoting official government figures, it said militant activity increased notably
during 2002 in Jammu and Kashmir.
In two separate attacks in May and November, terrorists entered the Raghunath temple
in Jammu and killed 25 persons. On May 15, 30 persons were killed and 48 injured by
militants in Kaluchak.
While terming the October Assembly elections in the state as "somewhat fair", it
noted that more than 260 civilians, 250 security personnel and 370 militants were
killed in politically motivated violence during the year.
PTI
