Srinagar, Kashmir - Six suspected Muslim militants and two soldiers were killed in separate clashes in India-administered Kashmir, police and news reports said Tuesday.

Two militants belonging to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (Army of the Pure), were killed in an encounter in the Bandipora district, some 25 kilometres north of state capital Srinagar.

"The gunbattle erupted on Tuesday morning after the security forces were attacked by rebels hiding in a house in the area," a local police officer said requesting anonymity.

"Both the slain militants were identified as Pakistani nationals belonging to the Karachi city," he added.

The LeT is among the largest militant outfits operating in the Himalayan region.

The security personnel comprising the army and the police's Special Operations Group did not suffer any injuries.

Four militants and two soldiers were killed in another gunbattle in the Poonch sector of the line of control (LoC) on Monday, the PTI news agency reported.

The LoC is the de-facto border that divides the disputed Kashmir region into two parts, one administered by India and the other by Pakistan.

The soldiers had successfully foiled an attempt by armed militants to sneak into the Indian side, the report said, adding the infiltration was preceded by heavy firing from Pakistani troopers on Indian positions.

The Indian Army claims that there have been more than 30 violations of a five-year-old ceasefire by Pakistani troops since January this year.

Nuclear-capable neighbours India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in a violent separatist militant movement in India-administered Kashmir since the late 1980s.

India accuses Pakistan of aiding Kashmiri militants, a charge Islamabad denies, calling them freedom fighters. India and Pakistan are currently engaged in a dialogue to resolve differences, including those over Kashmir. (dpa)