An estimated 300 militants are operating in Indian Kashmir, an Indian military commander in the disputed region said on Tuesday, as New Delhi seeks to stabilise the restive Himalayan territory that it reorganised three years ago.
Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and arch rival Pakistan, although both nuclear-armed neighbours only control parts of the region.
"As per our data, 82 Pakistani and 53 local terrorists are active," Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, who heads the northern command of the Indian army, told reporters, adding that the identities of another 170 insurgents were unknown.
New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of backing armed militants, along with separatist groups in India's portion of the region.
Islamabad denies the Indian accusation, saying it provides only diplomatic and moral support to the separatist movement.
A spokesman for Pakistan's military did not immediately respond to questions on Dwivedi's comments, reports Reuters.
