Srinagar, Kashmir  - At least four suspected Muslim rebels including a leader of a notorious insurgent group were shot dead in separate clashes in India-administered Kashmir overnight, officials said Friday.

"A self-styled divisional commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba Mehbood Ahmad Afridi was killed in a joint operation by the army and police in the Baramulla district in the early hours of Friday," a defence spokesman said.

The spokesman said the security personnel launched an operation in the area some 70 kilometres north-west of state capital Srinagar after being informed of the presence of militants.

The militant was asked to surrender but opened fire leading to the gunfight, he said.

In another operation in the state's northern Kupwara district, the Indian police and army killed three militants late Thursday night, district police chief Vijay Kumar said.

Kashmir, a disputed region between India and neighbouring Pakistan, has witnessed the deaths of more than 40,000 people - civilians, militants and security forces - in secessionist violence since 1990.

New Delhi has accused Islamabad of aiding and abetting Kashmiri militants, a charge Pakistan has denied. Islamabad said it supports the Kashmiris' legitimate aspirations for freedom. (dpa)