Indian Army soldiers on Monday shot dead five militants in Mendhar sector of Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, defence sources said.

A group of 10-12 armed militants sneaked into Indian side from across the Line of Control via Maan post and Goda. The alert troops challenged them and in the resultant gun battle killed five of them at Nar Baloie.

Details about the identity of militants and recoveries of arms and ammunitions from them were awaited as the encounter was on in the area, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Border Security Force personnel arrested seven Bangladeshis near Abtal village in R S Pura sector of Jammu district, while they were trying to cross over to Pakistan, a spokesman said.

After preliminary questioning, the Bangladeshis have been handed over to police, he added.