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India's Foreign Secretary is due to visit Pakistan this month to discuss the Kashmir issue, a Pakistani official said on Tuesday, the first formal talks between the two rivals on their core dispute since the Mumbai attacks in 2008 froze their peace process.

Tens of thousands of Muslims have been killed since pro-independent moves grew against Indian rule in 1989.

"She (Nirupama Rao) is expected here later this month to discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir as well friendly exchanges," the Pakistani foreign ministry official told Reuters.

In 1948, the United Nations adopted a resolution calling for a referendum for Kashmir to determine whether the Himalayan region should be part of India and Pakistan. But India has rejected to hold referendum in Kashmiri territory.

Indian security forces have been accused in the past of human rights violations, including rape and extrajudicial killings.

Kashmiri groups and parties have long demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops and scrapping of "anti-terrorism" laws, including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that gives sweeping powers to security forces in Kashmir, where about 500,000 troops are stationed.

Agencies