July 19, The Iran Project � Iranian senior clerics have strongly condemned Indian�brutal�killings�of innocent Kashmiri civilians, urging all Islamic countries, Muslim nations as well as international organizations such as the UN Security Council to respond to this crime.

Speaking to a reporter on Tuesday, Ayatollah Abbas Ka�bi, a member of the Assembly of Experts, referred to the humanitarian catastrophe in Kashmir and killing of Muslims in the country, and stressed that Muslims shouldn�t be silent on this crime.

Saying that American and Western human rights is unfortunately selective, he criticized international organizations for not reacting to the recent flare-up of violence in Kashmir.

He also stressed that Islamic Republic of Iran supports the oppressed people of Kashmir.

Ayatollah Abdolnabi Namazi, Isfahan's representative in the Assembly of Experts, also denounced killing of Muslims in Kashmir, calling for Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic�of Iran to take action in fighting against injustice and defending the oppressed people of Kashmir.

Following days of unrest and deaths in clashes between protesters and security forces in Indian-administered region of Kashmir, Iran�s Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on clashing sides in Indian-administered Kashmir to show restraint and try to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner.

Clashes erupted after Burhan Wani, a top figure in the pro-independence Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) group, was killed along with two others in a shootout with Indian troops on July 9.

The violence has been among the worst in the region in years. Indian forces have shot dead at least 45 people since July 9, while thousands of others have been injured.

Kashmir has been at the heart of a bitter territorial dispute since India and Pakistan became independent in 1947.

New Delhi and Islamabad both claim the Himalayan region in full, but rule parts of it. The two countries have fought two wars over the disputed territory.