Amnesty International (AI) on Monday expressed its serious concern at what it said is excessive use of force against civilians in Kashmir.

SRINAGAR: Amnesty International (AI) on Monday expressed its serious concern at what it said is excessive use of force against civilians in Kashmir.

The human rights watchdog while referring to the killing of seven civilians in security forces’ firing near an encounter site in the Valley’s southern Pulwama district at the weekend said that a worrying pattern is emerging in Kashmir where security forces are increasingly using indiscriminate and excessive force against civilians. “The killing of seven civilians on Saturday is an unfortunate addition to a series of alleged human rights violations by security forces in the State,” Asmita Basu, Programmes Director, AI (India) said,

Demanding a “full and independent” investigation into the incident and prosecution of those responsible in a civilian court of law, she said the intentional use of firearms should be done only when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. She also said that the law enforcement officials should distinguish between persons engaging in violence and peaceful demonstrators.

Earlier during the day, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) condemned the civilian killings in Pulwama and asked New Delhi to allow the organisation and its human rights wing to send a fact finding mission to the Valley.