At least three Muslim militants were killed Saturday when they attempted to infiltrate the Line of Control, which divides the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan, Indian officials said.

Indian troops guarding the border spotted militants in the thickly forested Gurez sector, 123 kilometres north of the state capital Srinagar, a Defence Ministry spokesman said.

"The soldiers asked them to surrender, but they refused, and a gunbattle began after they opened fire," Lieutenant Colonel JS Brar said in Srinagar.