The general rule of any war/conflict is that only those people fighting each other are legitimate targets of attack. Those who are not fighting should not be attacked as this would violate their human rights. The Geneva Convention lays down that civilians are not to be subject to attack. This includes direct attacks on civilians and indiscriminate attacks against areas in which civilians are present.
Last warning for Kashmiri police by Hizbul Mujahideen
اسلام عليكم
اب اگر کسی پولیس والے کو جان پیاری ہے تو نوکری چھوڑ دے ورنا موت کیلئے تیار رہیں یہ تو ہم نے ایسے ہی ایک چلک دکھائی ان کو کہ ہم کیا کر سکتے ہیں ہم بھی تمہارے گھر والوں کا جینا حرام کر سکتے ہیں اب کسی کیلئے کوئی معافی نہیں ہے بس کارروائی انشاءاللہ اگر اس گروپ میں کسی کا کوئی رشتہ دار پولیس میں ہے تو ان کو کہو جان بچاؤ نوکری چھوڑ دو اور گھر میں چپ چاپ رہو ورنا موت تمہارے سرو پر انشاء اللہ
However, what is a dangerous trend is the abduction, barbaric killing and releasing videos of the same to spread fear amongst the locals. In the last few months there has been a series of such incidents which indicate a new modus operandi of militant groups operating in the valley.
Riyaz Naikoo in a recent 11-minute audio message said “We want to tell these people that India is not our friend. He is heard saying that India is trying to divide Kashmiris and the local Police have become a victim of this Policy of divide – trying to justify his cowardly act.