Srinagar, Kashmir  - At least five people were killed in a roadside bombing carried out by Muslim separatist militants in India-administered Kashmir, police said Wednesday.

Eight were wounded in the blast that targeted a small bus Tuesday night in Bafliz village, about 45 kilometres east of the state's winter capital, Jammu, senior police official HD Jamwal said.

The victims included members of a village defence committee, an armed militia established by the state government to work in coordination with the security forces against militants.

The death toll could rise because five of the wounded were in serious condition.

"Eyewitnesses said the explosion ripped apart the vehicle and the bodies were blown into pieces," Jamwal said. "A powerful improvised explosive device was used for the well-planned attack."

Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a major militant outfit operating in the region, claimed responsibility for the bombing. The group has warned people against voting in the staggered general elections that began last week and continue through May 13 and threatened to conduct suicide attacks to disrupt polling.

Local media reports said up to 150 heavily armed militants had infiltrated the state from Pakistan-administered Kashmir in recent days to carry out strikes.

Indian authorities have strengthened security in key places in the state for the five-phased polls, which continue Thursday.

Violence is on the increase in the state as the nationwide elections got under way. As many as eight people, including security personnel, were killed in separate attacks over the weekend.

The disputed Kashmir region is divided into two parts, one administered by India and the other by Pakistan. The neighbours have fought two wars over the disputed region.

More than 45,000 people have died since a violent secessionist militant movement emerged in the 1980s.

India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of aiding Kashmiri militants. Islamabad denies the charge, calling the insurgents freedom fighters. (dpa)