SRINAGAR (Reuters) Indian security forces killed eight suspected freedom fighters on Friday in two separate gunbattles in Occupied Kashmir, an army spokesman claimed, alleging that some of them were trying to enter the territory from neighbouring Pakistan. Indian army spokesman Vineet Sood told Reuters a policeman was also killed in one of the gun battles. The clashes occurred amid mounting protests against New Delhis rule in the disputed Himalayan region, which has been in a siege-like state of strikes, protests and curfew for months. More than 100 people have been killed and scores arrested in protests since June - among the biggest since a freedom struggle started in Kashmir in 1989. Five freedom fighters were killed in the north of Kashmir as they allegedly tried to cross into the Indian-held territory side from Pakistani territory, while three other freedom fighters and the policeman were killed in a battle in the Ganderbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar. Sood said reports indicated exchanges of fire were continuing at both places. New Delhi is trying hard to defuse the tension in the region and on Wednesday decided to free jailed protesters and reduce the number of checkpoints in the main city Srinagar as part of a peace move. Indias security officials claim freedom fighters based in Pakistan have stepped up efforts to infiltrate into Occupied Kashmir before winter snow blocks the Himalayan mountain passes. The army has continued to focus on conducting relentless counter-infiltration operations on the Line of Control (LoC) as well as elimination of terrorists in the hinterland, the Indian Army said in a statement.