Six suspected militants and an army soldier were killed in a pair of gunbattles along the highly militarised de facto border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan, the Indian army said Thursday.

Three 'militants' and a soldier died in fighting that erupted Thursday after the suspected militants allegedly crossed over into India-held Kashmir's (IHK) Nowgam sector from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Army Spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia claimed.

Kalia said three other suspected militants were killed Wednesday in Machil sector.

There was no independent confirmation of the incidents.

Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in an armed uprising in IHK and ensuing Indian military crackdown in the region.

Separatist groups have largely been suppressed by Indian forces in recent years. However, public opposition to Indian rule remains deep and is now principally expressed through street protests marked by youths hurling stones at government forces.