Fresh violence in Kashmir kills 7

The region's powerful rebel group Hizbul Mujahedin said in a telephone call to a local news agency that its members killed the soldiers and snatched their weapons.

A civilian was shot dead when suspected rebels raided his house in Anantnag district late Sunday.

Rebels often target people they suspect of working for Indian troops or having any affiliation with pro-India political parties.

In the same district a soldier was killed and two others hurt when militants opened fire on patrolling troops Monday, the spokesman said.

Suspected militants encircled by troops in the south of the state held three civilians hostage for several hours Monday before freeing them.

"The three were freed by the militants unharmed," the spokesman said, adding troops engaged the militants in a fierce gunbattle after they refused to surrender.

Hizbul said two of its members were involved in the fighting.

Kashmir is in the grip of a 17-year-old insurgency against New Delhi's rule that has left more than 44,000 people dead, by official count. The Himalayan state is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both.