At least 12 people have been killed in the latest violence in Indian-administered Kashmir as the territory enters the last leg of elections for a new assembly.

The Indian army says it killed eight militants who tried to cross into Indian Kashmir from Pakistani-held territory - an army officer also died in the incident.

Three others - a police officer and two suspected militants - were killed in a gun battle in a southern district of the state.

The violence comes just a day after 10 people died in attacks by suspected militants.

The final stage of voting, which has been staggered for security reasons, takes place next Tuesday.

The Indian authorities are determined to make the elections a success.

However, militant groups fighting against Indian rule have attacked those taking part, and most separatist bodies are boycotting the poll.

Fierce exchanges

Indian army troops challenged eight rebels in the district of Poonch, near the Line of Control, which divides Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, a spokesman said.

An exchange of fire followed in which all eight rebels and an army captain were killed.

In a separate incident in the border district of Kathua in the south, two suspected militants were killed in a fierce gun battle with Indian security forces which began late on Wednesday.

A police officer died in the exchange which took place near the site of an attack on a bus earlier this week, during voting for the third phase of elections.

Security forces have cordoned the area and are looking for any militants who may have got away.

'Militant' arrest

With security measures heightened, the authorities announced on Thursday that they had arrested Shabir Zargar, the head of a now defunct militant group.

Security is tight because of the ongoing polls

A spokesperson for India's Border Security Force (BSF) said Mr Zargar had been arrested in Srinagar after the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition, allegedly in his possession.

The BSF also said he was wanted in connection with attacks on the security forces in Srinagar.

However, his family have denied the allegations.

They say he is a member of a separatist political party, and severed all ties with militants two years ago.

Militant groups have been fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir for more than a decade.

India says they are actively supported by Pakistan, something which Islamabad always denies.