Srinagar, India - Two suspected militants were killed in India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state where the penultimate phase of a staggered local election was held Wednesday.

Security forces killed two commanders of the Islamic militant group Hizbul Mujahideen in Pulwama district, police said, while voting was underway in the adjacent areas of Anantnag and Kulgam.

One of the slain militants, identified as Rais Ahmed, had escaped from police custody in November, while he was being escorted to court.

Election officials said balloting in the sixth phase of the seven-phase elections was peaceful and a voter turnout was about 60 per cent despite snowfall in some areas.

Turnout has been around 50 per cent in all the phases so far despite a boycott call by separatist political parties in the state.

The elections have also been largely peaceful, barring a few incidents of protestors clashing with security forces.

No militant attacks were reported so far in these elections, police said. In the past, candidates and voters have been targets of militants.

More than 47,000 people, including civilians, security forces personnel and militants, have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir since a violent separatist militant movement began in the 1980s.

India's Election Commission staggered elections to the state legislature to enable security forces to provide maximum possible protection to voters.

The last phase of elections are scheduled to be held on December 24. (dpa)