Kashmir killings draw condemnation

previously KASHMIR FOLLOW There's been widespread condemnation in both India and Pakistan of the wave of killings carried out by gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir.

In a statement to parliament, the Indian prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said the attacks, which began late yesterday and have claimed at least ninety lives, were an attempt to de-rail recent peace moves in the region.

Mr Vajpayee blamed Kashmiri militant groups, which he alleged were backed or protected by Pakistan, but said his government would not be diverted by terrorism.

In Pakistan, the military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, denied his country was involved in any way and condemned the killings.

But he said both India and Pakistan should use last week's declaration of a ceasefire by one of the main militant groups, Hizbul Mujahideen, as an opportunity for dialogue.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service