UN's Ban Ki-moon asks Kashmir leaders to address problems peacefully

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has appealed to all concerned parties in Kashmir to exercise utmost restraint and address problems peacefully.

"In relation to recent developments in Kashmir, the secretary-general is concerned over the prevailing security situation there over the past month," Farhan Haq, Ban's spokesperson, said in a statement.

"He calls on all concerned to exercise utmost restraint and address problems peacefully," Haq added.

Kashmir Valley has witnessed violent street protests since June 11, claiming 17 lives.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced that a commission would be set up to inquire into the deaths of civilians during the protests.

The inquiry commission is expected to report in three months. The UN chief also welcomes the recent talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.

"He encourages both sides to rekindle the spirit of the composite dialogue, which was initiated in 2004 and had made encouraging progress on some important confidence building measures, and to make renewed efforts to address outstanding issues, including on Jammu and Kashmir," the statement said.

"He (Ban) underlines the need for patience, perseverance and compromise on all sides," it added.