2 Kashmiri killed by Indian security forces in Kulgam district of Indian administered Kashmir

Indian security forces

Srinagar, May 22: Two Kashmiris have been killed in an alleged encounter with Indian security forces in Kulgam district, an Indian army official said.

The Indian security forces' spokesman alleged that a cordon and search operation in Gopalpora area of Kulgam was conducted following information about presence of Kashmiris separatists.

Indian security forces were conducting the search operations when separatists fired upon them, which led to a gun battle in which the two separatists were killed, he alleged.

The identities of the slain separatists is being ascertained by the J&K police.

Independent bodies have yet to confirm whether those killed were separatists, or their alleged involvement in activities claimed by the Indian security forces.

Human rights organisations have claimed constant human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir, a disputed territory administered by India, including mass killings, forced disappearances, torture, rape and sexual abuse for political repression and suppression of freedom of speech.

UN human rights report on Kashmir in June 2018 has called for international inquiry into ongoing human rights violations and abuses in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Rights Groups referred in Wikipedia; about “100,000 people have died since 1989 while the official figures from Indian sources state the estimates of number of civilians killed due to the insurgency in the range of 16,725 to 47,000”

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recently adopted a resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, condemning the “atrocities and human rights violations” in the state,

The resolution on Kashmir used phrases such as “Indian terrorism” and “mass blindings” by Indian security forces on protesting youths.