Indian security forces says two senior militant commanders were killed during separate gunfights in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Officials say Abu Usman, a commander for the militant Lashkar-e-Taiba, was killed during a clash Sunday in southern Poonch district.

Another senior militant was killed during a separate operation in northern Kashmir.

Muslim separatists have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from Hindu-majority India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan. Thousands have been killed in the insurgency.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in full by both. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought two wars over the region.