The Indian army says it has killed eight suspected Islamic militants after they crossed into Indian-controlled Kashmir from Pakistani territory.
The soldiers challenged and killed the intruders in Nanjot sector along the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Elsewhere in Kashmir, at least one suspected Islamic militant and a police officer were killed overnight in a clash triggered by an attack on a jail.
At least two police officers were wounded in the gunfire that continued, with security forces combing the forested area around the jail in Hiranagar, a town 45 miles south of Jammu. No prisoners escaped during the fighting.
The attack came two days after suspected guerrillas had attacked a bus in the town with automatic weapons and hand grenades and killed at least four people during voting for the third phase in state elections.
Yesterday, 11 people were killed when suspected Islamic militants attacked paramilitary forces and activists of the pro-India governing party and a bomb exploded on a bus filled with Hindu pilgrims.
Separatist militants vowed to disrupt the state legislature elections, which they say are rigged to favour the governing, pro-Indian National Conference party. The last round of voting is next Tuesday.
PA