SRINAGAR: Police say a gunbattle between Indian troops and suspected Kashmiri rebels has killed three 'insurgents' in the disputed Himalayan region and triggered a new round of anti-India protests and clashes.

Police Inspector-General Muneer Ahmed Khan says the fighting began after government forces raided a cluster of homes on a tip that ‘rebels’ were hiding in northwestern Sopore area and came under fire from militants.

Khan says one police official was injured.

As the news of the killings spread, protests and clashes broke out in several parts of the region. Soldiers fired at rock-throwing protesters in Bandipora area and wounded at least three civilians.