Srinagar, Kashmir - At least five suspected Muslim militants were killed in separate encounters in Indian-administered Kashmir where people participated in protests called by separatist leaders on Friday, officials said.

The Indian army said three militants belonging to the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami were killed in a gunbattle in the southern district of Kishtwar, some 230 kilometres east of Jammu, the state's winter capital.

"Three militants were killed in the shoot-out and arms and ammunition including rifles, grenades and explosive material was recovered from the scene," army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel SD Goswami said.

The troops conducted the raid upon a tip-off that these militants were behind the killing of officers from the Border Roads Organization, officials said.

The HuJI is among several militant outfits active in the region fighting the Indian security forces.

In another encounter, two militants were killed by security forces in Kishtwar, near the defacto border with Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Police said the slain militants were part of a group that was trying to enter into the Indian side to carry out attacks.

Recent intelligence reports have indicated a steep increase in infiltration attempts by militants across the line of control aided by Pakistani border forces, officials said. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the Kashmir region.

India has accused Pakistan of aiding and abetting Kashmiri militants. Pakistan rejects the allegations and calls Kashmiri militants freedom fighters.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people participated in a march protesting against Indian rule in state capital Srinagar in response to a call by the separatist Hurriyat conference.

Protestors shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans gathered in several parts of the city after offering Friday prayers at mosques.

Srinagar saw a complete shutdown with most business establishments, schools and colleges and government offices remaining closed.

The region has witnessed violent protests during the last months over an order allotting land to a Hindu cave shrine.

The unrest, the most widespread in the region in over a decade, has seen clashes between protestors and security forces leaving at least 50 dead.

But Hurriyat leaders say that the current protests are no longer connected with the Hindu shrine controversy and are aimed to demand independence from India.

The leaders have drawn up a calendar of protests till March next year and have appealed to people to boycott state elections planned by November.

More than 40,000 civilians, militants and government troops have died in the secessionist movement in India-administered Kashmir since the late 1980s. (dpa)