Four dead from Kashmir shootout

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir (CNN) -- Three Indian soldiers and a civilian were killed Friday from an ambush by suspected militants in the southern region of Indian-controlled Kashmir, the army said.

The attack happened in the southern Pulwama district of Indian-controlled Kashmir overnight, the army said.

"Militants waiting in ambush fired bullets from their automatic weapons at a patrol party of the army in Aragam village near Tral town late Thursday night," the spokesman said.

The dead included a junior commissioned officer, two army troopers and a government employee.

Following the incident, local villagers in Aragam protested the attack, authorities said

Militants often target Indian security forces and vehicles in Kashmir. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded during 18 years of separatist violence.

The dispute over Kashmir has spawned tensions between India and Pakistan -- South Asian neighbors and nuclear rivals.

Militants fighting for Kashmir's separation from India have been carrying out attacks against the Indian security forces in Kashmir.

So far more than 50,000 lives have been lost in the ongoing 17-year long violence in the territory.

A peace process between India and Pakistan has muted the hostility along their border when a bilateral cease-fire was announced in November 2003. But violence in the hinterland has persisted.

CNN's Mukhtar Ahmad contributed to this report.

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