'We condemn unreservedly the killing of one of the passengers and threats to kill further

passengers if the hijackers' demands are not met,' the organisation said.

'The taking and killing of hostages is in contravention of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. This act has rightly been condemned, both internationally and in many quarters in Jammu and Kashmir.'

Amnesty International pointed out that it has highlighted for many years the abuses of human rights which have taken place in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

'All sides to the conflict have been responsible for violating international human rights and humanitarian law. By holding scores of civilians hostage under threat of death, members of this armed group are committing one more act in an apparently never-ending spiral of brutality. This must stop now,' the human rights organisation said.