Friday, October 21 2005 15:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Strongly reacting to terrorist killings in Jammu and Kashmir, reeling under the impact of the devastating earthquake, the United States (US) has said that those behind the attacks are 'cynically using the situation' caused by the tragedy and their acts are simply 'unacceptable.'

"There are those who are cynically using the situation caused by the earthquake to conduct violent terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir," Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca said while testifying before the US House' Asia-Pacific subcommittee yesterday (Oct 20, 2005).

"This was demonstrated by the assassination of Jammu and Kashmir State Education Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone," she said.

"This is unacceptable. The real battle going on in Kashmir today will be to save the hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and overcome a natural disaster the likes of which this region has never experienced," Rocca said.

Lauding India and Pakistan for putting aside their differences and working together to help quake victims, Rocca said the US hoped this would lead to increased cooperation between the two nations in the future.

"We have seen Pakistanis and Indians working together to provide help to victims in Kashmir. We strongly support these gestures and hope they will lead to increased long-term cooperation between both nations," she said.

Rocca also praised the Governments of India and Pakistan for having found the political will to allow the people of Kashmir ready access to their relatives on either side of the Line of Control.