At least four suspected militants and an Indian army soldier were killed in three separate gun-battles in India-held Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.

Indian Police claimed that the suspects were killed overnight as fighting broke out after Indian government forces cordoned off the forested village of Kellar in southern Kashmir.

Thousands on Tuesday participated in funerals for the three militants, chanting slogans including “We want freedom” and “Go India, go back.”

The villagers also chanted slogans eulogising militants and hailing Pakistan.

Earlier on Monday, Indian police said troops killed a top militant commander in the northwestern Handwara area. A police statement described the slain militant as chief of operations of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

It said he was the mastermind of several attacks by the group recently, including last week's strike by militants after they stormed a paramilitary camp near Srinagar's airport. One paramilitary officer and three militants were killed in that fighting.

The Indian army said a soldier was killed after militants fired at a patrol party in the Budgam area on Monday.