§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government concerning the deaths and injuries suffered by civilians in Azad Kashmir on 26 January from fire across the UN line of control from Indian-occupied Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [18897]
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 5 March 1996]: We have not made any specific representations to the Indian Government about this incident. We regret the tragic loss of life that occurred during an exchange of fire that day. We have repeatedly urged both sides to exercise restraint, and to resolve their difference over Kashmir through bilateral dialogue.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government about assassination attempts made against Kashmir leaders living in Indian-occupied Kashmir with special reference to Yasin Malik; what reports he has received about the identity of those responsible for such attacks; and if he will make a statement. [18896]
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 5 March 1996]: The British high commission in India is in contact with the Indian Government about the security situation in Kashmir. The precise identity of those responsible for the attack on Yasin Malik and others in Anantnag on 21 February remains unclear. HMG condemn all such acts of violence in Kashmir.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has requested from the United Nations concerning information from UN observers on the line of control between Kashmir and 261W Azad Kashmir concerning the shelling on 26 January of Azad Kashmir from Indian-occupied Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [18898]
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 5 March 1996]: We would expect the UN military observers group to report an incident of this nature to the UN Secretary-General in the normal way. The incident has not so far been brought before the Security Council.