Kashmir's main separatist alliance Tuesday urged Muslim militants not to use religious places for their operations.
The appeal came hours after Indian security forces said they had killed all six militants holed up inside a mosque in Shangus village, 57 kilometers (35.3 miles) south of the Kashmiri summer capital Srinagar.
"We appeal to militants not to use religious places for their operations," said Abdul Gani Lone, a senior leader of the All Party Hurriyat Conference -- a conglomerate of two dozen separatist political groups.
Lone claimed that the Shangus mosque had been damaged in the operation by the Indian army, which was assisted by police Special Operations Group and elite National Security Guard commandoes.
A senior police official said the only damage was done to an annexe of the mosque.
Journalists who wanted to visit the area were prevented from doing so by the police.
"We have credible reports that the mosque has been damaged and we condemn that strongly." said Lone.
"The army has other means to evict militants. The destruction or desecration of any mosque is a tragedy."
But an army press release said the security forces should not be held responsible for actions initiated by the militants.
"Of late militants have resorted to taking refuge in religious places," the press release said. "Security forces reserve the right to take military action to neutralise such elements." -- SRINAGAR, India (AFP)
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