SRINAGAR, July 16: Indian troops on Saturday shot dead 21 militants in held Kashmir while two soldiers and two civilians were also killed as the hunt continued for militants allegedly sneaking across the border from Pakistan.

Nine of the militants were killed during a fierce clash with the troops along the heavily militarized frontier between India and Pakistan in northern Baramulla district, Indian army spokesman Vijay Batra told AFP.

A six-year-old girl also died in the exchange of fire between the two sides, he added.

Four militants were killed during a clash in Kupwara district near the border between India and Pakistan.

Police said six militants, two soldiers and a Nepali national were also killed in shootouts between militants and troops across held Kashmir.

On Friday and Saturday, the troops recovered the bodies of four more militants in the snowbound northern Gurez area, bringing the number of dead militants found there to 11 since Tuesday.—-AFP