Srinagar, Kashmir - Four Indian security men and a suspected Muslim militant were killed Monday in gun battles across Indian- administered Kashmir, police said.

Army troops and police launched a joint operation at a militant hideout in a forested area in Surankote town, some 250 kilometres north-west of the state's capital Jammu.

"Four security personnel including two army soldiers and two from

the police's Special Operation Group were killed in the encounter," a local police official said.

"The security team has been fighting a group of three militants and the gun-battle is still on," he added.

In another shoot-out, a top militant belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen was shot dead by security forces in Jammu's Ramban district.

India has accused Pakistan of helping Kashmiri militants, a charge it denies. Pakistan says Kashmiri militants are freedom fighters.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the disputed Kashmir region.

More than 40,000 people - civilians, militants and security forces personnel - have died in a violent secessionist movement in India- administered Kashmir since the late 1980s. (dpa)