SRINAGAR, April 6: Indian troops shot dead seven Muslim Kashmiris in separate encounters in occupied Kashmir, while a civilian died in a mine explosion, police said on Sunday.

Six freedom fighters were killed on Sunday in Rajouri district as they tried to infiltrate into occupied Kashmir, a defence source said.

A group of freedom fighters were intercepted by Indian troops just after they crossed into occupied Kashmir, he said.

Elsewhere in occupied Kashmir, a police spokesman said soldiers had shot dead Fayaz Ahmed, alias Saif-ul-Islam, a top commander of the hardline Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, near Ahribal, 75 kilometres south of Srinagar, on Saturday.

Police said Mr Ahmed was directing Harkat operations in occupied Kashmir.

On Wednesday Indian troops shot dead the second-in-command of the Hizbul Mujahideen group.

Meanwhile, two civilians and two border guards were injured in two landmine explosions overnight around Tral township, 40 kilometres south of Srinagar, a police spokesman said.

One of the civilians died in hospital on Sunday, police said.—AFP