Indian troops kill three militants in Kashmir fighting

Indian government forces have killed three suspected militants in a gun battle in the disputed Himalayan region of Indian-held Kashmir.

Indian paramilitary officer OS Charak said the fighting began early Tuesday after troops received intelligence about the presence of militants in southern Rajpora village.

There was no immediate statement from any of the militant groups fighting against Indian rule since 1989.

A police officer said on customary condition of anonymity that, as the fighting raged, hundreds of people in neighbouring villages staged anti-India protests and clashed with troops.