SRINAGAR, March 5: Six people were killed in the latest burst of violence in occupied Kashmir, including four Mujahideen, police said on Friday.

Indian troops shot dead two Kashmiris in the southern Poonch district during a firefight that erupted after troops launched a "cordon and search" operation in a forested area overnight, police said.

Two other Kashmiris were shot dead by the army during clashes in central Budgam and southern Anantnag districts on Friday, police said. "Both operations are continuing," a police spokesman said.

Elsewhere, a civilian was shot dead after he was abducted from his residence near the southern town of Kulgam overnight, police said. "The motive behind his killing is not clear yet," the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, a prisoner was hurt when a Kashmiri fighter attacked a prison van on Wednesday in a bid to free a fellow died overnight in hospital, police said. The prisoner's death raised the death toll to eight from the raid that occurred outside a jail in Jammu, police said.

Four policemen, one civilian and two prisoners along with the freedom fighter who staged the attack have now died as a result of the attack that took place as 10 militants were about to be taken to court in a police van. A little-known rebel group, al Mansooran, has claimed responsibility for the raid. -AFP