Indian PM Manmohan Singh has said specific steps will be taken to stop human rights violations by his security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir.
He was speaking after wrapping up two days of talks with pro-India political leaders in the state.
The talks were boycotted by Kashmiri separatists and opposed by militants fighting Indian rule.
Meanwhile, four tourists have been killed in a grenade attack in the summer capital, Srinagar, police say.
The victims were two women and two children. A number of other tourists were injured by the militant attack on the bus they were travelling in, police say.
'Cannot deny'
Mr Singh said the security forces had been deployed to protect citizens and that they have a very sound record.
"But... I cannot deny that aberrations do take place. But these aberrations cannot be allowed to become the norm," he said, in a rare admission by an Indian leader.
The prime minister said India was committed to living in peace with Pakistan and wanted to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
Mr Singh began his visit on Wednesday by meeting military commanders and security officials to review the situation in the state before his round table talks with Kashmiri political leaders.
Talks boycott
Hopes that Mr Singh may meet moderate separatists at the round table conference fell through, because they announced on Monday that they were not willing to participate.
But the prime minister remained optimistic of peace despite the boycott.
"I have not lost hope that ultimately good sense will prevail that all those who are in favour of a peaceful resolution of the problems facing this state will work together," he said.
Mr Singh's visit triggered an unprecedented security operation, with many Srinagar residents being corralled into "sanitised zones" where access to the prime minister will be impossible.
On Sunday, Islamic militants hurled grenades and fired bullets into a Congress party rally attended by thousands of people in central Srinagar.
Officials say at least seven people were killed and 25 injured.
India and Pakistan both lay claim to Kashmir in its entirety and have fought two wars over the disputed region.
Despite peace talks between the two countries which began in 2004, no progress has been made on the contentious issue.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~04~RS~)