OIC backs Pak calls for a "fact-finding" mission in J and K

From Rezaul H Laskar Islamabad, Feb 7 (PTI) Backing Pakistan, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation today asked India to allow a OIC fact-finding mission, international rights groups and humanitarian organisations to visit Jammu and Kashmir to assess the rights situation. A joint communique adopted at an OIC summit that concluded in Cairo today "called upon India to allow the OIC fact-finding mission, the international human rights groups and humanitarian organisations to visit Jammu and Kashmir", said a statement issued by the Foreign Office. The communique welcomed Pakistan's proposal for an investigation by the UN Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan into recent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. It expressed "deep concern" at the ceasefire violations. The communique further called on India to undertake an "independent investigation into the discovery of mass graves and ensure free and fair trial of those responsible" for "heinous crimes". The Pakistani delegation to the summit was led by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who yesterday called for an investigation into the ceasefire violations on the LoC by the OIC. The move came in the wake of India's rejection of Pakistan's call for a probe by the UNMOGIP. Clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops last month were among the worst violations of the ceasefire that was put in place along the 742-km LoC in late 2003. One Indian soldier was beheaded by Pakistani troops while the mutilated body of another jawan was found in the Poonch sector along the LoC. Pakistan claims three of its soldiers were killed din Indian firing. PTI RHL AKJ SAP