SRINAGAR: Four soldiers and two suspected rebels were killed on Tuesday ina gunbattle along the highly militarised de facto border that divides thedisputed region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan, the Indian army said.

The six combatants were killed in fighting that erupted with a group ofmilitants in India-held portion in Gurez sector, said Indian army spokesmanColonel Rajesh Kalia.

He said the army’s patrolling party intercepted the infiltrating groupearly Tuesday.

Military authorities rushed in a reinforcement of soldiers to themountainous and forested area where they were still conducting searches forother possible militants.

One among the army’s fatalities was an officer.

There was no independent confirmation of the incident.

Most Kashmiris support the rebel cause that the territory is united eitherunder Pakistani rule or as an independent country while also participatingin civilian street protests against Indian control.

Rebels have been fighting Indian control since 1989. India accuses Pakistanof arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies.

Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuingIndian military crackdown.