SRINAGAR, India: Officials say four suspected militants and an army soldier were killed in three gunbattles in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Police said Tuesday that three ‘militants’ were killed overnight as fighting broke out after government forces cordoned off the forested village of Kellar in southern Kashmir.

Thousands on Tuesday participated in funerals for the three ‘militants’, chanting slogans including "We want freedom" and "Go India, go back."

Earlier Monday, police said troops killed a top militant commander in the northwestern Handwara area.

The Indian army said a soldier was killed after militants fired at a patrol party in the Budgam area on Monday.—AP