India 'kills Kashmir infiltrator'
Jammu map

Indian border troops say they have shot dead a militant who was trying to cross the international border from Pakistan into Indian-administered Kashmir.

A group of three to four men tried to enter the territory near Jammu city on Thursday evening, a spokesman said.

Pakistan's military provided covering fire for the militants, he alleged. There is no word from Pakistan.

Both India and Pakistan claim the disputed territory of Kashmir and have fought two wars over it.

It is the latest in a series of incidents that have strained relations between the counties.

There has been relative calm since a ceasefire in Kashmir in 2003.

But there have been more than 20 incidents this year with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations.

'Ran away'

The Border Security Force (BSF) spokesman said troops saw some movement near Korotana border post, about 25km (15 miles) west of Jammu.

"It was a group of three to four infiltrators trying to sneak into the Indian side," he said.

The troops fired, killing one of them but the others managed to run away, he said.

The spokesman said the dead man was a Pakistani national. "We found some eatables and cigarettes in his possession," he said.

Indian officials say this is the third such incident this week.

There was no immediate response from Pakistan, but its army has denied similar accusations in the past.

Although the nuclear rivals have made significant progress on a number of issues during the last four years of talks, they have made little headway on key issues such as Kashmir.

Last month the leaders of India and Pakistan agreed to resume peace talks following months of strained relations.