LONDON: Amnesty International “deeply deplored” the threat to two Swedish engineers held hostages by Kashmiri militants and said it had no contact with anyone claiming to represent the kidnappers.

The two men Ollie Loman and Johan Jansoon were kidnapped near Gulmarg in northern Indian state of Kashmir on March 31.

Amnesty International said “we oppose the torture and killing of prisoners held by anyone whether these acts are threatened or carried out either by governments or armed groups”.

“We condemn the torture and killing of prisoners regardless of any reasons that may be given to justify them. To make such threats in connection with human rights is just unacceptable” it said.

A militant outfit “Muslim Janbaz Force” have claimed responsibility for the kidnappings and demanded that teams of the United Nations and the human rights organisation should visit Kashmir.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 19, 1991