GENEVA, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The number of civilian casualties reported over the 12 months from May 2018 to April 2019 in India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir "may be the highest in over a decade," a United Nations report said Monday.
The new report, published Monday by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that "neither India nor Pakistan have taken any concrete steps to address the numerous concerns raised in an earlier UN report."
The report also called on the 47 member states of the UN Human Rights Council to "consider... the possible establishment of a commission of inquiry to conduct a comprehensive, independent, international investigation into allegations of human rights violations in Kashmir."
Tensions over Kashmir rose sharply after a deadly suicide bombing in February targeting Indian security forces in Pulwama. The continuing tensions have severely impacted civilians' human rights, including the right to life, said the report.
According to data gathered by local civil society, the report said, around 160 civilians were killed in 2018, which is believed to be the highest number in over a decade.
Last year also registered the highest number of conflict-related casualties since 2008 with 586 people killed, including 267 members of armed groups and 159 security forces personnel, said the report.
It noted that India's Union Ministry for Home Affairs has published lower casualty figures, citing 37 civilians, 238 terrorists and 86 security forces personnel killed in the 11 months up to Dec. 2, 2018.
Of the 160 civilian deaths reported by local organizations, 71 were allegedly killed by Indian security forces, 43 by alleged members of armed groups or by unidentified gunmen, and 29 were reportedly killed due to shelling and firing by Pakistani troops in areas along the Line of Control.
"In Indian-Administered Kashmir, accountability for violations committed by members of the Indian security forces remains virtually non-existent," said the report.
According to the government of Pakistan, a further 35 civilians were killed and 135 injured on the Pakistan side of the Line of Control due to shelling and firing by Indian forces during 2018.
The Line of Control is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan-controlled parts.
Two armed groups have been accused of recruiting and deploying child soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir, and armed groups were reportedly responsible for attacks on people affiliated or associated with political organizations in Jammu and Kashmir.
